Since it's a theme in more than one comment thread: If you're a contrarian, I'd soften rules to constraints. Their utility is less in what they do to your res

Since it's a theme in more than one comment thread: If you're a contrarian, I'd soften rules to constraints. Their utility is less in what they do to your results than in what working within them does to you. Constraints force you to be attentive and mindful, and this helps you understand the tools, materials, and techniques at your disposal. It someone scolding you about passive voice is offputting, talk yourself into writing pair of stories or posts or journal entries in entirely passive and entirely active voice. Be fastidious about both. Learn your materials.