Don't write with a pen. Ink tends to give the impression the words shouldn't be changed.

Don't write love poems when you're in love. Write them when you're not in love.

Maximum sentence length: seventeen words. Minimum:one No semicolons. Semicolons indicate relationships that only idiots need defined by punctuation. Besides, they are ugly. Make sure each sentence is at least four words longer or shorter than the one before it.

To write a poem you must have a streak of arrogance-- not in real life I hope. In real life try to be nice. It will save you a hell of a lot of trouble and give you more time to write.

Don't write with a pen. Ink tends to give the impression the words shouldn't be changed.

You owe reality nothing and the truth about your feelings everything.

A creative writing class may be one of the last places you can go where your life still matters.