Don't get it right, just get it written.
James Thurber
If I had a cent for every new writer I find who is overwhelmed by all the "rules" and "prescribed methods" to good writing, I'd be on my way to Tuscany by now.
The Internet is a wonderful place, and the blogosphere a treasure trove of knowledge and advice on writing. I love it. But I was lucky. I had too much of a confidence in my own abilities to be overwhelmed.
Why? Because I've written for about eight years before I decided to take the plunge and start a writing blog. So by the time I started nosing around the blogs, I already knew what worked for me and what didn't. I already knew where my writing needed help.
I knew that if I had conflicting pieces of advice, that I'd be able to pick the one that works best with me and the way that I write.
But note the words: FOR ME.
If everyone writes according to the way that works best for them, is there really a right way to write?
Short answer: No. The only way to write is your way.
Sure, you can take advice. If it works for you. You can deviate from the "rules", if you're willing to stand firm in the belief that you did the right thing.
Writing isn't about writing to a set form. If it was, every book would be the same. Who'd want that? Especially if it's a book you wouldn't like?
So, while it is excellent to see what options are out there (and I've seen some brilliant suggestions that I never would have thought about), don't sacrifice your own writer's identity in order to implement them.
Forget about being right. Get that story written, by any means possible.
What's your favorite writing "rule" or "best practice" to break?
Right now, it's prologues. The 'rules' say no. I say, if they're relevant, bring them on :-)
ReplyDeleteWriting ... I mean .. writing on a regular basis is the simple rule I wanna follow. Writing will improve by itself and you shall be able to tell the tale well ...
ReplyDeletewith warm regards
Another Author
"Write every day." I get SO tired of reading posts exhorting writers to write every day, and saying that's essential for a writer. I don't have problems with posts that say it works for some people, but when I read posts that say it's a "must do" for writers, I laugh. I write 3-4 days/wk, max, and I'm very productive. I think the breaks (which take place during my work week) are pretty essential for MY process. Great post, Misha, and good points.
ReplyDeleteJust write is the best advice. Good point.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I think that writing rules are meant to be broken if you can write a certain way and it works for you. Love the quote.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you. I think that writing rules are meant to be broken if you can write a certain way and it works for you. Love the quote.
ReplyDeleteThey should never be 'rules' only guidance. There is nothing wrong with an adverb when used sparingly or at the right time. Was is a word you can not avoid, and yes, it can be active. I could go on, but you get the point. I remember a contest I entered early on. I received a perfect score from one judge, and an 'F' from another. She wrote at the bottom, "your story is intriguing but you can't use 'was' or 'ly' words. I looked over the entry again and noticed two adverbs in twenty pages, and the active use of 'was' sprinkled through. It is such a misconception, especially among new writers.
ReplyDeleteThat's excellent advice! Getting bogged down in the rules is some peoples game ender as writers. I was lucky too. I started writing before I saw all the rules, and while I wasn't GOOD at it, at least I knew I COULD do it and all that before I started learning how to write well.
ReplyDeleteWhat rules? There are rules? No one TOLD me there were rules! Did Dr. Seuss follow rules?
ReplyDeleteMy best practice to break is the rule that you should write every day. I say to hell with that and write once every six months (not including my blog).
ReplyDeleteExcellent advice that we all need to hear once in a while. I had to remind myself of that this weekend when I was trying to bang out word counts. To paraphrase Bull Durham: "Don't think. Just write."
ReplyDeleteEveryone's writing journey is different. I've learned some new rules and broken some old ones...it's a continuous learning experience.
ReplyDeleteI agree.
ReplyDeleteI think that having written for about 8 years before starting your blog, is a major factor in the confidence-building process/finding what works best for you etc.
ReplyDeleteWith regards to rules... they seem to contradict themselves all the time - for example "write what you know" versus "write out of the box... explore..."
It makes me wonder about authors from a bygone era, who weren't affected by all these rules & regulations that the present-day writer is subjected to...
I break the no italics rule every time.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, Misha.
ReplyDeleteWe can't follow all of the rules. We lose our voice and our style. We have to learn to differentiate advice that's style and advice that's otherwise. That takes time and practice, too.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteI like avoiding the usual definition of a "hero", and what a protagonist should be like.
Oh, darn. I have to pick one??? I really break a lot, but the key for me is not to break them consistently. Only when it works for the story. I've been told not to use contractions. Well, that NEVER works for me. I've been told not to use fragments. I'm sorry (not really), but fragments are what we often think in. No one uses full sentences with subject/verb format every time in their heads. If it fits what the POV demands, I'll use them.
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you on this post, lol!
I think you may well realise where I stand, or sit, or roll over, or do back flips, when it comes to 'rules' in writing. I break all the rules and I do what I want and experiment. Yes indeed, I'm into 'grammar anarchy' and don't mind overusing the conjunction word 'and' because 'and' is a really nifty neato way of doing a run on sentence and is a good way of practising how to hold your breath. Heck, if I wanted, I could write an over-detailed, run on sentence, just like Stephen King :) Make a fortune...
ReplyDeleteYa know what I is sayin'? lol
Take care and happy writing, no matter what way you wish to write :)
Love the Thurber quote. This is wise-- yes, the rules are important in a way, but also understanding your own writing!
ReplyDeleteIt is true every author has a style of their own and we should write in a way that feels right for us. I remember being surprised how Hemmingway wrote; it was a new style for me at the time.
ReplyDeleteI think we shouldn't stick to any specific rules when writing unless it is obscene. The art if writing is the art of choosing what you feel is right.
ReplyDeleteSo very true. We're told to make sure we read in the genres we write, so those ought to be good references on how to write. Right? Hmmm . . . there's a heck of a lot of telling in some of the books I've loved. And I still loved them.
ReplyDeleteOutlines definitely. I find myself more lenient with them nowadays where I'm half outline/half pantser.
ReplyDeleteI think every writer should not just find their unique voice but also their individualistic way of handling a story. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to writing.
ReplyDeleteYES. I love that there's so much writing advice out there, but sometimes I just remind myself to forget it and write from the heart. It's easy to get stifled in the shoulds and shouldn'ts.
ReplyDeleteI go by the saying 'You can't edit a blank page!'
ReplyDeleteSo very true. We each have to find our own way down the writer's path. Great quote!
ReplyDeleteIt took me a long time to type and ignore the typos. So O/C that I used to make the corrections before I could write anything more. Now, I let 'em rip.
ReplyDeleteMisha, I learned the rules and then I taught myself how to break the rules.
ReplyDeleteIt's like NaNo. Write. Then write some more. Then keep writing. With a little "Alice in Wonderland" thrown in: "Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end: then stop."
ReplyDeleteThis is brilliant and so very true! I don't think I consciously have any rules I break, but I never really pay attention to rules, I just write. :)
ReplyDeletethats a great piece of idea... nice one.
ReplyDelete