--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not copy my style! The first rule of…" description: "\"Do not copy my style! The first rule of writing is write about what you know, not what you think you know. So, think about what you've done in your lif..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c0/jackie-collins-9686_copies_do-not-copy-my-style-the-first-rule-of-w_2117697.jpg" --- # Do not copy my style! The first rule of writing is write… ![“Do not copy my style! The first rule of writing is write about what you know, not what you think you know. So, think about what you've done in your life and write about that.” quote by Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c0/jackie-collins-9686_copies_do-not-copy-my-style-the-first-rule-of-w_2117697.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c0/jackie-collins-9686_copies_do-not-copy-my-style-the-first-rule-of-w_2117697.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5c0/jackie-collins-9686_copies_do-not-copy-my-style-the-first-rule-of-w_2117697.jpg) > “Do not copy my style! The first rule of writing is write about what you know, not what you think you know. So, think about what you've done in your life and write about that.” [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Writing should be rooted in personal experience rather than assumed knowledge, ensuring authenticity and depth. **In simple terms:** Write from what you truly know. Key Takeaway Use your own life as material. Themes authenticity experience writing self-awareness Mood reflective inspirational Type advice creative When to use this quote - memoir writing - blog posts - fiction - journalism Key Concepts personal narrative creative honesty Questions to Reflect On - How can you blend personal truth with creative invention? - What stories from your life reveal universal truths? A Different Perspective Relying solely on personal experience may limit imagination. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [The number-one rule of writing is write what you know--or something like that. So I wrote about my experiences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-reed/the-number-one-rule-of-writing-is-write-what-you-know-or-something/) [Nikki Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-reed/) > [There's always things that you know about that nobody else, because everybody's life is different. So you write about what you know. That's number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/there-s-always-things-that-you-know-about-that-nobody-else-because/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [Whatever you have a passion for, then you must do. If you want to write, write about something you know about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/whatever-you-have-a-passion-for-then-you-must-do-if-you-want-to-write/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [If you make your living writing, and you can't write anything, it's over. It's very frightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sting/if-you-make-your-living-writing-and-you-can-t-write-anything-it-s/) [Sting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sting/) > [With TV-writing, you write scenes and those scenes pretty much stay as they are when you come to filming them. Sometimes you might change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-jones/with-tv-writing-you-write-scenes-and-those-scenes-pretty-much-stay-as/) [Ruth Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-jones/) > [I write just knowing that I enjoy writing. But if I have to write, it seems like nothing comes. But when I go there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrae-crouch/i-write-just-knowing-that-i-enjoy-writing-but-if-i-have-to-write-it/) [Andrae Crouch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrae-crouch/) > [Don't try to write what other people are writing - write what is true to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/don-t-try-to-write-what-other-people-are-writing-write-what-is-true/) [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) > [There's a great freedom in writing by yourself. You can write anything you want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-becker/there-s-a-great-freedom-in-writing-by-yourself-you-can-write-anything/) [Walter Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-becker/) > [“No, I am just writing this because, sometimes, you’re still all I have to write about. Sometimes you’re the only thing that my typewriter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moriah-pearson/no-i-am-just-writing-this-because-sometimes-you-re-still-all-i-have/) Moriah Pearson > [My biggest problem about writing is whenever I write piano pieces, because I then have to learn to play them, which is sometimes not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-glass/my-biggest-problem-about-writing-is-whenever-i-write-piano-pieces/) [Philip Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-glass/) > [“It’s easier to start writing if you have something to write about, rather than staring at a blank screen thinking about nothing because you’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/it-s-easier-to-start-writing-if-you-have-something-to-write-about/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“It took me a long time to realise that there are two kinds of writing: the one you write and the one that writes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeanette-winterson/it-took-me-a-long-time-to-realise-that-there-are-two-kinds-of-writing/) [Jeanette Winterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeanette-winterson/) > [“I suggested to her that she start writing. "I can't write at all," she said. "Neither can many bestsellers," I replied. "But that pesky…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-suggested-to-her-that-she-start-writing-i-can-t-write-at-all-she/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Write it. Just write it. Write it on receipts in the car while you wait for your kid to finish their piano lessons, scribble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melodie-ramone/write-it-just-write-it-write-it-on-receipts-in-the-car-while-you-wait/) [Melodie Ramone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melodie-ramone/) > [“No thinking – that comes later. You write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key to writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-thinking-that-comes-later-you-write-your-first-draft-with-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Jackie Collins > [If you wrote a page a day, at the end of the year you would have a book. Whether it's any good or not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/if-you-wrote-a-page-a-day-at-the-end-of-the-year-you-would-have-a/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [As soon as I reach my destination I have a cup of tea, something to eat and then sleep for about 13 hours. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/as-soon-as-i-reach-my-destination-i-have-a-cup-of-tea-something-to/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [I wake up in the morning and I still have a passion for what I do, and I'll be doing it when I'm 105,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/i-wake-up-in-the-morning-and-i-still-have-a-passion-for-what-i-do-and/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [For a perfect holiday I need my iPhone and my writing tools. I write all my books by hand so black felt pens and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/for-a-perfect-holiday-i-need-my-iphone-and-my-writing-tools-i-write/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [My philosophy is, unless you're sick and need help, why bother?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/my-philosophy-is-unless-you-re-sick-and-need-help-why-bother/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [The biggest critics of my books are people who never read them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/the-biggest-critics-of-my-books-are-people-who-never-read-them/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [“Expecting conceit they found courtesy. Expecting arrogance they found a man concerned with people’s thoughts and feelings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/expecting-conceit-they-found-courtesy-expecting-arrogance-they-found/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [“Falling in love is like getting hit by a truck and yet not being mortally wounded. just sick to your stomach, high one minute,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/falling-in-love-is-like-getting-hit-by-a-truck-and-yet-not-being/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [Whatever you have a passion for, then you must do. If you want to write, write about something you know about.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/whatever-you-have-a-passion-for-then-you-must-do-if-you-want-to-write/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [I don't like being in one place too long. Five days just about does it for me because I have a very low threshold…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/i-don-t-like-being-in-one-place-too-long-five-days-just-about-does-it/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [I woke up last night and thought: 'I must call somebody in my next novel Casablanca.' It's such a great name. I don't want…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/i-woke-up-last-night-and-thought-i-must-call-somebody-in-my-next/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [All of my books have the potential to become movies, it's just a question of finding a studio who wants to get behind me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/all-of-my-books-have-the-potential-to-become-movies-it-s-just-a/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [I like to design my clothes; I design my jewelry, yeah. It's fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/i-like-to-design-my-clothes-i-design-my-jewelry-yeah-it-s-fun/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [Who is ready to settle for five minutes when three hours does nicely?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/who-is-ready-to-settle-for-five-minutes-when-three-hours-does-nicely/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) > [I'm a storyteller, I'm not a literary writer, and I don't want to be a literary writer. People say to me, "Oh, when are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-collins/i-m-a-storyteller-i-m-not-a-literary-writer-and-i-don-t-want-to-be-a/) [Jackie Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) [Explore all 70 Jackie Collins quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-collins/) ## More Copies quotes > [every being is unique.god neva creates carbon copies,he alys creates originals.he is truly a creator.he neva repeats.but man goes on living in imitation.we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/every-being-is-unique-god-neva-creates-carbon-copies-he-alys-creates/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [My songs are like cheap Neil Young copies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-bachman/my-songs-are-like-cheap-neil-young-copies/) [Randy Bachman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-bachman/) > [In that part of the book of my memory before the which is little that can be read, there is a rubric, saying, Incipit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/in-that-part-of-the-book-of-my-memory-before-the-which-is-little-that/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [I remember being a kid and seeing the 'National Inquirer' at the grocery store checkout line. When somebody actually picked up a copy, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-jones/i-remember-being-a-kid-and-seeing-the-national-inquirer-at-the/) [Rashida Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-jones/) > [The idea is not to copy nature, but to give a feeling of nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/piet-oudolf/the-idea-is-not-to-copy-nature-but-to-give-a-feeling-of-nature/) Piet Oudolf > [“When copies are free, you need to sell things that cannot be copied. Well, what can’t be copied? Trust, for instance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-kelly/when-copies-are-free-you-need-to-sell-things-that-cannot-be-copied/) [Kevin Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-kelly/) > [Mr Witwould: "Pray, madam, do you pin up your hair with all your letters? I find I must keep copies." Mrs Millamant: "Only with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-congreve/mr-witwould-pray-madam-do-you-pin-up-your-hair-with-all-your-letters/) [William Congreve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-congreve/) > [There have to be at least two copies of a photograph, otherwise it’s not a photograph.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-ruff/there-have-to-be-at-least-two-copies-of-a-photograph-otherwise-it-s/) [Thomas Ruff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-ruff/) > [In market research I did at Microsoft Corp. in the early 1990s, I estimated that the 'Wall Street Journal' took in about 75 cents…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-myhrvold/in-market-research-i-did-at-microsoft-corp-in-the-early-1990s-i/) [Nathan Myhrvold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-myhrvold/) > [Guys like Todd Bridges never overcame being a child star. You can't have any big failures. I've always felt regular. I played organized ball…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bow-wow/guys-like-todd-bridges-never-overcame-being-a-child-star-you-can-t/) [Bow Wow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bow-wow/) > [It was only after I had been out of the art school that I actually copied a small Seurat, and I copied it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bridget-riley/it-was-only-after-i-had-been-out-of-the-art-school-that-i-actually/) [Bridget Riley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bridget-riley/) > [We call ourselves creators and we just copy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauryn-hill/we-call-ourselves-creators-and-we-just-copy/) [Lauryn Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauryn-hill/) > [People have one of two extreme reactions to my book. They either throw it across the room, or they rush out and buy 10…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louise-hay/people-have-one-of-two-extreme-reactions-to-my-book-they-either-throw/) [Louise Hay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louise-hay/) > [A presentation copy...is a copy of a book whoch does not sell, sent you by the author, with his foolish autograph at the beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/a-presentation-copy-is-a-copy-of-a-book-whoch-does-not-sell-sent-you/) [Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/) > [We are all born originals, why is it so many of us die copies?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-young/we-are-all-born-originals-why-is-it-so-many-of-us-die-copies/) [Edward Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-young/) Browse all 971 Copies quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Do not copy my style! 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