Hatrack River Writers Workshop: There are no rules

This is topic There are no rules in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Christine (Member # 1646) on :

Every so often I feel the need to reinforce a truism abour writing: There are no rules, only suggestions and guidelines.

Every decision you make has a consequence. The answer to "Can I do x?" is always yes. You can do whatever you want, it's the beauty of beinga writer. Now, "Should I do x?" whereby I assume you are wondering whether the typical reader will like it is far more complicated. I fall back on therea re no rules, only guidelines. But you should have a thorough understanding of the consequences for every decision you make.

Here are some examples. Feel free to add to the list:

1. Use good grammar. Yes, even rules of grammar can be broken. I suggest that you have a thorough grounding of correct grammar before you choos (for whatever reason) to use bad grammar. The danger here is that people will think you're a joke, an unprofessional who frankly cannot write. =I bring this up first because if there is anything that sounds like something you should always do, it's use good grammar. In fact, I will continue to always correct bad grammar when I see it in critiques. 99.99999% of the time bad grammar is ignorance or sloppiness, but there are always exceptions. The only real example I can think of is not an entire story, but perhaps a letter written by a child and of course dialogue spoken by someone without a good command of the language.

2. Show don't tell. In fact, sometimes you have to tell. Sometimes it's the best thing to do. And I realized recently that telling in rough drafts can be a good way to get you through something when you're stuck. YOu can always come back later and show it properly. But remember, telling is not going to have any emotional sensitivity nor is it going to bring the reader into the story, so use it sparingly. I often use telling when I want to skip a bit, such as when someone completes a typical morning ritual of showernig, changing, eating breakfast,e tc. I skim over these with a tell and get to the point.

These are just a couple. But the point is do whatever you want, just be aware of the consequences.

Posted by J (Member # 2197) on :

I'd like to add a rephrasing of the concept rather than an example. I heard it put this way by Prof. Lawrence Mcenerny from the University of Chicago during a lecture he gave at my firm on how to write well in complex areas of law:

"There are no rules, only effects. Decide what effect you wish your writing to have on the reader, and that will dictate what 'rules' you follow."

Posted by Robyn_Hood (Member # 2083) on :

I can't remember who posted this comment or on what thread, but I think it applies:

quote:
If you know the rules and break them deliberately, it's called art. If you don't know the rules and break them, it's called ignorance.

When I first read that, I thought it really summed things up well. Rules aren't hard and fast, but they are there for a reason.

Posted by wetwilly (Member # 1818) on :

Well said on numbers 1 and 2, Christine. Anyone who wants to no more about the "show-don't-tell" debate and the various opinions concerning it, there's a big long argument about it floating around here on one of these threads if you care to find it. The topic was thoroughly discusssed. To the point of ridiculousness, actually, but before that happened it was discussed well.

Posted by Magic Beans (Member # 2183) on :

quote:
If you know the rules and break them deliberately, it's called art. If you don't know the rules and break them, it's called ignorance.

C'est moi.

Its territory covers genre and plot and so forth in addition to grammar. If you know what the given "rules" are for writing fantasy or sf (thanks to Mr Card's book, we do) and you deliberately turn them on their head, you may have a startlingly original story. However, if you don't do your homework and you write some terrible hackjob in the dark because you don't know anything... you will never publish.

When something is called a new take on an old idea, that shows the author knows the old idea in the first place, and understands it enough to build upon it. That's why artists study art history, and why writers read voraciously.

We are standing on the shoulders of giants.

[This message has been edited by Magic Beans (edited November 29, 2004).]

Posted by Phanto (Member # 1619) on :

I think that the following is an example, though not a honed one, and also pretty poorly written, of when a fragment is fine:

The room was silent. Still. Nothing moving. Then a red object flashed across, yoddling wildly as it came.

Jon dodged to the left, acting not on a thought but rather on instinct. The red object missed by inches...

Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :

The only rule I care about is this: Write intersting stuff.

quote:
We are standing on the shoulders of giants.

Well then I suppose that I shouldn't have worn my golf spikes!