tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post6291337404312955877..comments2023-05-30T04:55:18.889-05:00Comments on A Writer's Blog: Writing RulesScotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-71656585111433761162010-07-09T07:52:53.745-05:002010-07-09T07:52:53.745-05:00Indigo – here’s a thought: perhaps the innumerable...Indigo – here’s a thought: perhaps the innumerable rules are out there to weed out the true writers from the “oh, this might be a neat thing to do” writers. I mean, after a while, the serious writers learn to break the rules. I’m thinking the non-serious writers become overwhelmed and just give up. Ha! <br /><br />Jemi – one of my English Lit professors in college once told me: you can break the rules when you’re a writer. Ha! Who knew I would take her words so seriously? She did a big discussion on the writing rules and that, even in our essays, it was okay to break them but – she wanted an explanation in the margin why we thought it was okay to break the rules. She was a great teacher.<br /><br />Eric – you’re so right.<br /><br />VR – I love your equation, even though math wasn’t ever my favorite subject. I was more of a recess kind of guy. Ha! I think the thing with rules, is a writer needs to know when to break them, and when to adhere to them. Balance.<br /><br />Jody – I think (no, I know, at least with me) that the longer we write, the more comfortable we become, and we are able to move beyond a formulaic way of writing. The rules are nothing more than stepping stones on a path. Sometimes, you can hop over a stone and still get to where you’re going.Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-28979128261975437192010-07-09T06:29:21.751-05:002010-07-09T06:29:21.751-05:00I couldn't agree with you more. We learn them,...I couldn't agree with you more. We learn them, and then through the process develop our own unique voice and way of expressing them. Learning fiction basics isn't about writing in a formulaic way. It's more about learning what appeals to our readers, then keeping that balance of writing from our heart but having the reader in mind too.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-22327231826660444042010-07-08T23:47:49.067-05:002010-07-08T23:47:49.067-05:00I agree, too. Breaking the rules is essential for ...I agree, too. Breaking the rules is essential for any writer. I see it as an equation:<br /><br />Learn the rules <b>+</b> Learn when to break the rules <b>=</b> VOICEVR Barkowskihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927993233682731113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-79876555864982391842010-07-08T13:30:32.553-05:002010-07-08T13:30:32.553-05:00There's only one rule to writing:
BE...There's only one rule to writing:<br /><br /> BE CLEAR<br /><br />That's it. All the other rules support this one single goal.<br /><br /> - EricEric W. Tranthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13842968931062056407noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-56948056662331878022010-07-08T09:14:59.784-05:002010-07-08T09:14:59.784-05:00I agree too. Even when I teach my elementary stude...I agree too. Even when I teach my elementary students, I tell them they have to know the rules, but they're very allowed to break them for effect.Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4110160045151463659.post-75448028745056597552010-07-08T07:30:57.732-05:002010-07-08T07:30:57.732-05:00I agree. Things are complicated enough for a new w...I agree. Things are complicated enough for a new writer without rules that appear to wear concrete shoes. Yes, there are the basic rules we should all follow - grammar, sentence structure, and formatting.<br /><br />However if a writer is ever going to find their own voice, they need to listen to the story above all else. (Hugs) IndigoSage Ravenwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17143502548162174269noreply@blogger.com