Shannon Rankin

Shannon Rankin listed Henry Miller's 11 Commandments on her blog, and shares some of her wonderful new work.


















1. Work on one thing at a time until finished.
(I just don't work this way at all - maybe if I substitute 'series/theme' for 'thing' - jb)
2. Start no more new books, add no more new material to "Black Spring".
3. Don't be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly, on whatever is at hand.
4. Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
5. When you can't "create" you can "work".
6. Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
7. Keep human!
See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
8. Don't be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
9. Discard the Program when you feel like it-but go back to it the next day. "Concentrate". "Narrow down". "Exclude".
10. Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you "are" writing.
11. Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

From Henry Miller on Writing