Writing From the Hip: Numba 10

As promised, here come my Top Ten Posts of 2005. I will post every other day till the nineteenth. Quite frankly, I'm surprised how it all ended up. The top nine selections are based upon readers' comments and e-mail responses. Number 10 is there because I'm the judge of what's "top." It's posted first (…the last shall be first…). Thank you for visiting my blog...and My Other Blog, too.

Number 10 is a tie between this blog's very first post and its April 27 post. I wrote both of these long before I started blogging and keep them hung close to my desk(s). They are copyrighted. If you have the urge to use them, please give me the credit.

Paul's Ten Commandments for Writing (Dec 4, 2004)

You shall always remember: only Scripture is inspired.
Honor your readers with grace and clarity.
Excellent writing shall be evident; your effort to make is so shall not be.
You shall write the truth; especially in fiction.
You shall frolic with playful words and sentences.
You shall delight.
You shall not plagiarize. (I wanted to write "You shall not steal," but that would be plagiarism.)
You shall accept criticism graciously.
You shall relax, man.
It is written, "In the beginning God created…" Therefore, as it is written, you shall "Go and do likewise."

Attitudes and Beatitudes (April 27)

Blessed are the creative; for whole new worlds shall unfold before them.
Blessed are the rejection slips; for sooner or later they shall enrich.
Blessed are they who type and type and type; for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after new ideas; for they shall be overwhelmed.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall sleep well at night.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God and other bright lights.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are the clean of language; for they shall prosper.
Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit a publisher.
Blessed are they who read to their children; for their pleasant memories will never fade.
Blessed are the children who long to read; for they shall become creative.