Those of you who know me understand that "rules" must make sense to me before I will observe them. Of course this fact applies primarily to writing. When professionals decided that new writers needed guidelines in order to keep them from submitting manuscripts full of annoying prose, "they" created basic rules of writing so unfinished writers could examine their work with a measure of fundamental grammar knowledge and suggested methodology for storytelling language.
The problem with these rules is some writers take them as the law of the writing land and apply them religiously to their creative processes, stunting style and voice while being somewhat "correct".
The most important "rules" for me when I consider writers are these: know grammar and know who you are as a writer. Grammar knowledge reduces the stress of having your work edited. You will know when you consciously choose to reject the traditional grammar rules to enhance your work with a different style. The proper grammar which used to be taught in good schools is cumbersome for fiction and doesn't always work. But if you choose not to observe the rules of grammar and are unaware of breaking them, chances are your prose will appear poor, inexperienced, or crude. Especially to an editor.
Some of the rules often pushed with a note of authority are ridiculous and shouldn't always apply. I'm not going to list them because I don't think their value warrants repeating them here. As the funny graphic above implies, "House Rules" are the ones you decide upon as you create your story. The emphasis you use, the genre you choose, everything within the body of the story shouldn't be determined by the rigidity of writing rules. Expand your originality without abandoning good writing sense. Be who you are.
As far as writing according to a strict set of rules? Rule it out. And most certainly: Don't make deals with demons!
Father, your rules are designed to help us live a more abundant life. They're for our benefit. You allow flexibility in so many areas, but you do require Jesus. If only more of your creation would believe you are who you say you are. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.