My friend Aly sent me this quote:
“There are three rules for great writing. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”
The above quote, he noted, is an adaptation of the following Maugham quote:
“There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, no one knows what they are.”
−W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)
Do you have any favorite rules for great writing? The comments section is open.
Neil Sagebiel 
Despite the quote mentioned above, Maugham did have rules (or at least guidelines) for writing. They are lucidity, simplicity, and euphony. More details here: http://wsomersetmaugham.wordpress.com/category/on-writing/