Non-negotiable

There are some things that, if you're writing to get published, are negotiable. Things that look like rules, but aren't really. For example:

1) Chapters: If you want to do parts instead of chapters, fine. If you want to have some long chapters and some short ones, whatever. Provide some nice break points via the ever-popular "#" symbol, and you're golden.

2) Characters: Want one? Two? Three? Eleven? Ninety-five. Whatever. You can have as many or as few as you want, so long as it works for your ...