Chandler explained: “The important thing is that there should be a space of time time, say four hours a day at least, when a writer doesn’t do anything else but write. He doesn’t have to write, and if doesn’t feel like it, he shouldn’t try. He can look out the window or stand on his head or writhe on the floor. But he is not to do any other positive thinking—not read, write letters, glance at magazines, or write checks. Either write or nothing.” Either write or random episodic silent thought. When those are your only options, Chandler said, you will write “just to keep from being bored. I find it works. Two very simple rules: a. You don’t have to write. b. You can’t do anything else.” via