The Only Two Rules of Good Writing (That Actually Matter)



Over the years, I’ve been asked the same question again and again. Often in emails from students, sometimes over coffee with friends, and occasionally by strangers at writing events who lean in like they’re about to hear a deep, dark secret.

“Rob,” they ask. “What’s the golden rule of good writing?”

And my answer is always the same.

There are only two.
Just two rules you ever need to remember.

I know, I know—there’s a whole industry built around rules. Adverbs are bad. Show don’t tell. Use active voice. Kill your darlings. Avoid the passive. Don’t start with weather. Never open with a dream. And for heaven’s sake, don’t end with a twist.

But I’m here to tell you: most of those rules are guidelines, not gospel.

When it comes to writing that really works—writing that readers devour and publishers pay for—there are only two things you need to get right. Let’s break them down.

Rule One: Be Clear

This is the big one. This is the hill I will die on.

If your writing isn’t clear, nothing else matters. Not your dazzling prose, not your grand ideas, not your clever metaphors. If the reader has to stop and think about what you meant, you’ve already lost them.

Clarity is everything.

It means your sentences make logical sense.
It means your characters behave in ways we can follow.
It means the reader never has to re-read a paragraph just to figure out what’s going on.

Too often, new writers confuse clarity with dullness. But being clear doesn’t mean being boring—it means being understood. And if your writing isn’t understood, what’s the point?

Rule Two: Keep the Reader Wanting More

This is the secret sauce of storytelling. It’s what drives page-turners, binge-worthy scripts, addictive blog posts, even the best marketing copy.

Good writing builds desire. It makes you need to know what happens next.

We’re not talking car chases or big reveals (though those are fun). We’re talking tension. Uncertainty. Curiosity. Even in a quiet domestic scene, a great writer makes you lean forward. Wanting. Needing.

A character glances at the door.
A line of dialogue hangs in the air.
A decision is postponed.
A secret is hinted at—but not revealed.

These are the tools of a pro. Because if a reader can put your work down and never think about it again, you’ve broken Rule Two.

The Simple Formula

So here it is, my entire writing philosophy boiled down:

Clarity + Curiosity = Compulsion to Read.

That’s what we’re after. Not flowery prose. Not clever tricks. Just the basic, beautiful mechanics of communication and suspense.

If you write clearly—and keep readers wondering what happens next—you’ve done your job. Everything else is detail.

Want to Go Deeper?

At Rob Parnell’s Writing Academy, we’ve built 90+ courses around this core idea: helping writers write better, faster, and with more confidence.

Whether you're working on a novel, a screenplay, memoir, short stories, or content for your business—clarity and curiosity should be your guiding stars. And if you want to master those skills, we’re here to help.

👉 Click here to explore the Academy and join thousands of writers improving their craft today.

What’s Your Rule?

Every writer has one. A personal commandment they swear by. I’d love to hear yours. Drop it in the comments, shoot me a message, or tag me on social media. Let’s keep the conversation going.

And as always...

Keep Writing!

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