Are there rules in writing?

One basic rule. "Be worth reading".

That applies to writers, too. We have to read whatever horror we come up with and either try to make it work, or try and hide.

Speeches can be murder, and any article has to stand on its own.

Literary pieces are a little different because the range of expression isn't as confined. However, the basic rule always applies. Read anything you write back to yourself, and consider if it works. Self criticism can save you a lot of external criticism.

Creative writing tends to set standards. After a while you'll see what isn't good enough. Just remember that one rule.

To join two independent clauses, use a comma followed by a conjunction, a semicolon alone, or a semicolon followed by a sentence modifier.
Use commas to bracket nonrestrictive phrases, which are not essential to the sentence's meaning.

Hard and fast rules:
1. Use a spell checker
2. Double check your grammar
3. Don't use people who love you for editors or feedback
4. Write, write, write
5. Let your material cool for a few days, then reread it to see if it makes sense
6. Edit your material mercilessly and cold heartedly
7. Have something to say (probably should be in #1 position)

If you want to write good academic literature, speeches, short stories, or even a novel there are hard and fast rules. Not only grammar rules, but rules on how your article should be constructed. You should search esl writing, there are many web sites you can use to get started. Good luck!

before breaking them, one must master the basics of writing. if you don't read then you can't write. always check your grammar. do not be choosy in your subject/topic because there is inspiration everywhere. seek the objective views of others because acquaintances have biased tendencies. be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of one.