American author Richard Ford, born 1944
Here they are, Richard Ford's Ten Rules for Writers. I've also included my comments for each rule.
1 "Marry somebody you love and who thinks you being a writer's a good idea."
Excellent!
Just one problem - many women and men decide to embark as writers after
they are married. So, the question becomes: does your spouse think that
your spending time writing is a good idea? If so, great; if not, you
have an issue in need of resolution.
2 "Don't have children."
Fine
idea! Again, similar to #1, many of us set out as writers after we are
parents. Thus, scoping out the time to write becomes a series issue. I
speak from experience since when I began writing at age 38, I had to
juggle career and three kids at home. One thing that helped in my case:
time watching TV was not an issue since I haven't watched TV since my
college years.
3 "Don't read your reviews."
Probably not a
bad idea. But each writer is different. Christopher Buckley told me he
would love to read the reviews I wrote for all of his books. Nicholson
Baker told me he generally shies away from reading reviews of his books.
You will have to see for yourself.
4 "Don't write reviews. (Your judgment's always tainted.)"
Again,
you will have to see for yourself but I tend to disagree with Richard
Ford here. A number of outstanding fiction authors write excellent book
reviews, to name four: Martin Amis, John Updike, Cynthia Ozick, Edmund
White. I'd even go further: writing book reviews provides a stellar
opportunity to sharpen your writer chops. Added to this, if you are an
aspiring novelist, writing book reviews might just be as equally
effective for you as writing short fiction.
5 "Don't have arguments with your wife in the morning, or late at night."
I'd
go even further - try not to argue with people, period. Most especially
avoid arguments about such hot potato subjects as politics or religion.
Such exchanges will get you nowhere as a writer. Save your energy and
passion for writing. 
Carson McCullers at her typewriter
6 "Don't drink and write at the same time."
Again,
I'd go further - an occasional glass of wine is fine but try to avoid
frequently reaching for a drink as a way to relax. And if you are a
social drinker, that's easy - cut way back on socializing. I recall
Horacio Castellanos Moya telling an interviewer that he has a hard time
writing the next day if he spent too much time talking the previous
evening. That's my experience as well. If you take your writing
seriously, try to spend more time writing and less time talking.
7 "Don't write letters to the editor. (No one cares)."
In
our computerized world, this could translate as "don't write comments
when others write negative reviews of your books." Probably a good idea
since not everybody will enjoy your writing. Let it go. Not advisable to
get yourself all worked up in a frenzy over others' opinions of your
work. Move on to your next book.
8 "Don't wish ill on your colleagues."
Bull's
eye, Richard! As a writer, the last thing you want is to fume with envy
over the success of other writers. Let such nonsense go. Much wiser to
take others' successes as motivation to spur on your own writing. And
besides which, success is so relative - many of the greats of world
literature were never recognized in their own lifetimes. 
James Baldwin at his writing desk
9 "Try to think of others' good luck as encouragement to yourself."
Similar
to #8, think well of others and applaud any good luck that might come
their way. Again, it can't be stressed enough - save your powerful
emotions for your writing.
10 "Don't take any shit if you can possibly help it."
In
a way, the most important of Richard Ford's rules: if you find yourself
in a toxic work environment, takes steps to extract yourself as quickly
as possible. As for other interactions with people, the best way to
avoid other people's shit is to avoid as much as possible people
inclined to throw shit at you. Much better to spend your time by
yourself at your writing desk.
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