We’ve all heard the standard rules of writing—always start with a sympathetic character, always show and never tell, don’t shift points of view in short stories because there isn’t time, and so on. I wanted to write a story that broke all of these rules of writing, rules that have become cliches by now.<\/p>\n
I had submitted this story to Interzone<\/em>, and so was surprised to receive an acceptance letter from Paul Brazier, an editor there, who instead wanted the piece for a new magazine to be called Nexus<\/em>. Nexus<\/em> was to cover a broader range of stories than Interzone<\/em>, including horror. “10 Things I’ve Learned About Writing” appeared in the magazine’s second issue, dated Spring 1992.<\/p>\n This is the story of mine that receives the most mixed reactions when I read it at conventions. Some members of the audience laugh hysterically, while others walk out disgusted. I guess that means it’s working. <\/p>\n