Something I wanted to add to all the writing tips which popped 
themselves up on here recently.  No one else mentioned it, and I find it 
important enough to mention, since it is a trap I fall into myself rather 
easily.  I read this in a book on writing Science Fiction and Fantasy 
(Which does qualify for most of the stories on this list, even if they 
are not totally dedicated to either.)

  As a writer, you'll write stories.  Eventually, time will pass, and 
you'll take a look back at stuff you've written in the past.  Naturally, 
you'll be able to spot errors and other problems with it almost 
immediately.  Things you don't like about the story.  You'll be tempted 
to go back, reediting the story to correct those mistakes.  DON'T!  Spend 
your time writing new material, not fixing the old stuff.. or you'll 
never get anything new accomplished.  Rely on continuously writing new 
stuff to improve your skills.

  I reedit my old stuff all the time, and it is a habit I simply have to 
break.. or I'll never get anything new written.  The only time you should 
edit something is if you need to make drastic changes to a work in 
progress.. or if like me you wrote something during a particular mood 
which influences the story.  Your feelings definitely influence what you 
write!


Luigi Mattera
mattera@tiac.net