As for my writing, I have made the fatal error of reading a load of books about 'How to Write.' Yes, some of the advice is great, really helpful and informative. But the problem is that if we all followed the 'rules' slavishly, then everyone would write in the same style. There would be no difference beween Dick Francis and JRR Tolkein for example.
Reading through earlier stories I can see how immature they were, how the 'Mary Sue' syndome crept in, (but hopefully never a self-insertion!), how they are filled with adverbs and doubles and over-use of adjectives. But if I edit them ruthlessly, to follow the 'rules' then some of the life goes out of them. They lose their innocence in a way. I AM editing them simply because there are too many basic errors for me to be happy, but at the same time I am trying to stay within my own style.
I completed Vodka and edited it with a vicious hand, only to realise that it was 'flat', and that it had lost that immediacy, that 'something' that made it work. So I 'unedited it!
I just hope Ed Straker forgives me. It's a pretty brutal story (as usual).
And I am adding some thoughts to this post; advice I read about the rules of writing. And these are probably the only rules I will try to follow slavishly in future.
If you write with enough confidence and assurance, you will be allowed to write whatever you like.
Write the story you want to write, as it needs to be written, as you want to write it.
Write it honestly and with love, and do the best you can.
Write with enjoyment, for yourself.
And I do.