Writer Harlan Ellison has preserved for us (in his suspense story collection "No Doors, No Windows", Pyramid Books 1975) a bit of rare wisdom.  The book's lengthy introduction mentions Robert A. Heinlein's "Five Rules For A Writer".  Here they are (they might be found any number of other places but just in case, I'll get 'em down now):

1.  You must write.

2.  You must finish what you write.

3.  You must refrain from rewriting except to editorial order.

4.  You must put it on the market.

5.  You must keep it on the market until sold.

 - Robert A. Heinlein 1947

   Now, if you know Harlan, you will have expected him to have added a few things.  As a matter of fact, he did add two things:

6.  Only accept the last four words of rule 3 if your integrity and the quality/interior logic of the story reconcile with such changes.

7. Kill to maintain the integrity of your work.

 - Harlan Ellison 1970

   This is not a full composition;  I just recorded these points for future reference.  Also, there's not a great deal I can add.

4/2009