The Guardian’s (UK) Ten Rules For Writing Fiction offers up several good, timeless tips for writers. I love the mix of writers and the advice, especially since so much of it is the same: read lots, edit often, have stick-to-it-ness, etc. This bit from the brilliant  Jeanette Winterson is one that I adhere to wholeheartedly:

Don’t hold on to poor work. If it was bad when it went in the drawer it will be just as bad when it comes out.

In fact, I did just that with some pretty old, rambling short stories of mine. I only saved two to reuse/recycle the salvageable bits for a collection that I decided to start over the weekend. Among the writers offering advice at the above link are Zadie Smith, Ian Rankin, Colm Tóibín, and Rose Tremain.