Good news for fans of the written word. Seems young adults still care about it.

At least that was the sentiment at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts last week, when best-selling author and Palm Beach resident James Patterson spoke to a packed assembly of creative writing and journalism students.

The prolific Patterson, who according to BookScan has sold cumulatively more copies worldwide than any other author (an estimated 220 million), charmed his audience of aspiring wordsmiths with a combination of droll wit, advice, encouragement, anecdotes and self-effacement.

Much of the wisdom Patterson gave the high schoolers was stuff we can all use. So, whether you harbor fantasies of becoming the next J.K. Rowling, or just want to communicate more effectively with your colleagues and Facebook friends, here are Patterson’s top 10 writing tips:

• Make extensive outlines.

Know what you want to accomplish before putting pen to paper, or fingers to keyboard. Before beginning any manuscript (and he works on multiple ones simultaneously), Patterson lists the "possibilities" for each chapter. These descriptions come in the form of brief sentence fragments and/or bullet points.

• Write stories – not sentences

Because "everyone can tell a story," Patterson recommended doing just that when you write, rather than worrying how each sentence is constructed. "You can go back and polish later," he said.

• Learn all the rules

This goes for writing – and, really, any line of work. Because, as Patterson astutely pointed out, "It’s only after you know all the rules that you’ll know which ones you can break."

• Follow your passion

"The only reason to pursue any career is that you’re passionate about it," Patterson said. "I love to write – and that’s why I do it every day, around 360 days a year."

• Revel in your creativity

One of the best parts of being a writer, Patterson explained, is that "you can lose yourself in a world of your own creation."

• Be willing to persevere

"You will have to deal with frustration and rejection at times," Patterson told the students, using himself as an example. His first novel was rejected 31 times before he found a publisher.

• Avoid preconceptions

Patterson cautioned budding journalists (not to mention us jaded, veteran ones) "not to make up your mind on a story beforehand." Along those same lines

• Research, research, research!

Gather all the facts, data and expert views you can – and then "form your own opinions," he urged.

• Know your audience

Who are you writing for? A correspondence with your boss requires a different tact than one for, say, a potential client.

What’s the difference between commercial and artistic success? Patterson said, in essence: Commercial success requires knowing, and understanding, how others think and feel; artistic success often necessitates not caring about either.

• Find a trusted critic

For the writing that matters the most to you, have someone who "will see your truth" read it before submission. This person must be able to tell you what you need to hear – not what you want to hear.

Of course, as accomplished as Patterson is, there were certain aspects of writing for which he could offer the teenagers no expertise.

For one, they’re on their own when it comes to laptop computers. The world’s most prolific book-seller does all his writing longhand.