My ten commandments of writing
I promised you something pre-written to entertain you during my absence. Probably you were expecting it sooner in the week, but better late than never as habitually late people often say. I ran across a list from 2013 headed 'my personal ten commandments of writing' which I assume I wrote in response to an exercise in a book I'd borrowed from the library (happens a lot) and it may be of interest, and largely still applies.
Characters with some aspect I can relate to, be it the love of a cat, or a background like mine.
Nuanced characters, neither all bad nor all good.
Realistic dialogue.
Pacing such that it doesn't feel like you've been reading a different book for a while, because you're off on a sub-plot.
Prose that's not difficult to read, language that's suited to the topic and the point of view character.
Events not too predictable, or if predictable then characters real enough so we care how it affects them/how they handle it.
A setting that matters, not just incidental.
No longer than it needs to be - don't try and force a novella to be a novel.
Always throw a touch of humour into the dark moments.
Don't force humour.
I would guess this applies nearly as much to books I read as to stories I write. Anyone got any others (or comments on mine)?