Ah, David Bentley Hart. To propose a list of rules for writers is probably a very presumptuous thing to do. The only authority it can possibly have is one’s ow

Ah, David Bentley Hart. To propose a list of rules for writers is probably a very presumptuous thing to do. The only authority it can possibly have is one’s own example, and so offering it to the world is something of a gamble. One has to assume that one’s own writing is impressive enough to most readers to provide one with the necessary credentials for the task. If one is wrong on this score, issuing those rules will invite only ridicule. I mean, for goodness’ sake, Steven Pinker (of all people) published a book on style. How can anyone take that seriously? Few writers do such a fine of job of puffing themselves up while at the same time cutting others down. But, he is a gifted thinker and, at times, pleasant writer. For example: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/08/a-perfect-game https://www.firstthings.com/article/2010/08/a-perfect-game