They advised us not to use back story...why not? If it is not boring reams of the stuff and helps the reader understand the character or situation a little better, then why not use a smidgen of back story?
Never show a story from different character angles...why not? If it is in-keeping with the story and does not fracture the flow of reading, why not allow a couple of characters chance to shine?
Only use said in dialogue...she smothers a yawn...why? Why can't the character say something 'smarting, or sharply?
'I don't like you when you do that,' she frowned at him when he turned her way.
'I don't like you when you do that,' she said.
Who did I hurt with the first sentence?
Don't drink and write at the same time? Rewind....WHAT? I assume he meant alcohol and even that rule is stupid. A good old glass of red village plonk, can soon relax the tense mind of a writer and allow the imagination to flow. So long as you don't end up dancing on the table. Maybe he was just concerned with spilling it over the laptop, so I will forgive for that word of warning.
This is where the self publishing freedom comes to life. A reader will read what they enjoy, regardless of broken rules. Heck, some readers won't even know rules have been broken, they are just enjoying a good read.
In my first novel I have broken rules, but an agent claims "I write well", so she didn't appear to mind my rule breaking. Granted she didn't take me on, but you get what I mean.
I have read some great books recently, and noted with joy that rules have been stretched and twisted. The stories never lacked a thing...nada...nothing. They all held my attention and are selling well. So after four years of really studying what to do...I might not! (It is O.K., OK, okay, to use the odd ! said one, but another said...NO!) I tend to follow that rule, and rarely use !, I like italics for emphasis.
So there you have it, how Glynis intends to break the rules, unless somebody raps her knuckles hard.
35 Comments:
Absolutely! I find a good suggestion - not rule - is to break a rule but only when you need to. I actually agree with the said one - not your example, though, which is about actions and body language, but that 'she gasped/screeched/bellowed/sighed' thing when you get a whole list of he said/she saids but all with different versions of said. It's hard to stick to a rigid system of rules,a nd how boring it would be if we all did!
Nah. You don't have to be rigid with "rules." But I think it's important to know what they are before you "break" them. Excellent post, Glynis. Well said. And I hope YOU have a Happy Valentine's Day! Jen has already made an awesome Valentine for her aide, and right now is in GREAT spirits.
Ann Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
Reb, yes your examples are much better. I am not a said, said, said fan.
Ann, now I realise I can be flexible, my writing flows without too much angst. So thrilled Jen is having a fun day.
Thank you both for visiting me today. x
One of my mentors has eight rules of writing that I tape above my desk. His first? Don't be afraid to break the rules. xo
I feel it's like being a painter - the best ones broke all the rules for fabulous effect!! You know the rules, and then you trust yourself to know when it works to break them. I break them all the time. Adverbs are not evil. I like italics - I love italics! Backstory can be the best way to tell something that needs telling. I actually think that it's only people who are not confident in their writing who get all hung up on whether someone else "broke the rules!"
Since the rules change with the decade I don't consider them much like rules.
Great post Glynnis. I agree with you about rules in writing. They are very limiting. When I think of them while I write, my work comes out rigid. I feel caged.
I think it all boils down on how well a story is written. If the author has written a great, engaging story, people will read it whether the author bent the rules of writing or not.
At the risk of sounding cliche...rules are only good for one thing: breaking!
Dawn, love that! I should have that as my screensaver!
Melissa, ooh, italics, I love them too! How right you are, it is confidence that helps. I have found this as I plod along my writing path.
Joan, the changes drive me insane. I used to use " for speech in the UK, but now it is ' for some rule makers. I get so confused.
Sabini, exactly, rules make writing rigid and *yawn* and times. A good book will hook, regardless.
Norma, I like your thinking!
Thank you all for taking time out for me, and leaving supportive comments. x
I say...break the rules! I think those are the people that end up coming out ahead and make it interesting. :-)
Breaking the rules is just another way of describing evolution - and where would be without that?
Anyway at least you know the rules, a far better place to be than not knowing them at all.
Otherwise where would be the fun in breaking them?
Who wrote all those rules???? Bollocks. That person needs a glass of wine ... while they're writing! ;o)
Tracy Jo, I am on it! :D
Heather, what a good way of putting it! I will add that in my book. This book has been through an evolving process, please accept the rule breaking. :D
Thanks for dropping by and supporting me! x
Jessica, my words exactly!! LOL
Crazy rules.
Heeeheeee! We really were on the same wavelength. Too funny!
Gopod for you, Glynis. Go for it. Writing rules, like grammar rules, are made to be broken - for effect.
You break the rules at your own risk. However, some of the rules don't apply to all situations.
Yes, Jessica, I told you the waves vibrated across the world! :)
Jakill, I really do feel sometimes the broken rule can be effective.
Richard, agreed. If they are broken in such a way they do not stand out like a sore thumb, then I feel they can work in several situations.
Thank you all for coming to see me and leaving your supportive comments. x
I agree 100%. If I don't mind it as a reader, then why shouldn't I be allowed to use it as a writer? Another one is prologues. Everyone says not to use them. But I like them when their done well. :)
DL, thanks. Ah, the prologue. It only works for me if it is short and, as you say, written well.
Great to see you, thanks for visiting.
I've made it a rule for myself to try to avoid using "said". I think it's an overused word, so I always try to add action to indicate who is speaking.
You've now realized the rule that will make your writing unique an interesting...the rule of knowing when to break the rules!
Glynis, I love your site, your writing philosophy, and your followers. I have a suspicion that you and other UK friends will enjoy my tongue-in-cheek attack on British grammar rules in The Anarchist's Guide to Grammar. It's being published as I write this and should be available through Amazon in a few weeks. I'm going to follow your blog in future. (And thanks for your comment on mine.)
Hi Glynis .. heavens above don't smother us .. let our lives and words breathe - if it sounds terrible change it - if it rings true .. or gives a timbre to the writing leave it ... absolutely - I'll be popping over to give you handshake .... because I need some Cypriot hospitality and sun?! not to rap your knuckles ..
The Anarchist's Guide to Grammar sounds fun .. cheers Hilary
I've heard it said before that you need to know the rules in order to break them, and I agree with that. I think you can break the rules but you should have some idea why you're going against convention. Except when it comes to drinking, ha!
Hilary, the sun is struggling but the hospitality is about. Yes, don't smother us, is the answer! The guide sounds intriguing for sure.
Talli, I agree. Some rules can be tweaked, and some broken. Others need to remain intact.
The drinking rules should be extremely flexible. :)
Thank you both for visiting me today. X
Hilary, the sun is struggling but the hospitality is about. Yes, don't smother us, is the answer! The guide sounds intriguing for sure.
Talli, I agree. Some rules can be tweaked, and some broken. Others need to remain intact.
The drinking rules should be extremely flexible. :)
Thank you both for visiting me today. X
Love Love Love this post Glynis, especially the photograph! ;)
Don't drink and write? Tosh!
I can see the sense in some of the "rules" but not adhered to rigidly.
Loribeth, I love the rule that means I can break the rules!
Grammar Anachist, welcome! Many thanks for sharing the info about your book. We like tongue-in-cheek stuff around here!
Thanks for visiting me today. x
(not sure why blogger decided not to publish my original thanks. They published another x2, crazy).
Thanks, Rebecca. Tosh indeed! I am beginning to relax more now I am bending/breaking rules.
Thanks for visiting. x
I remember the argument being made that you must introduce your main character quickly, preferably on the first page.
My main characters don't even turn up until Chapter Four!
Rules are broken all the time. You just need to pick the ones that are important to you. Best of luck with your writing!!!
I completely agree with your point of view here. Too many rules break the flow of your thought, or imagination. I say, go ahead and break those rules.
Don't drink and write? What ignoramus said *that*? Uh, hello? Bukowski, Hemingway, Coleridge (okay that was probably opium) - should I go on?
Atta girl! I only have one rule and that is (as you said) to hold readers in my story's grip. That said, the most important thing for me is to let what I'm currently writing "sleep" for a few days; and then I read it as if I didn't know the story. If I'm bored, I just know I have to rewrite the whole thing differently. I guess that's the best rule ever: if you're bored by your own story, there's a chance something is wrong with it. Best to you from Paris!
William, you are a rule breaker...well done! :)
Kathi, sometimes I stick to the rules as they work for my particular piece of writing. As you say, it is about finding the ones that work for or against you.
Icy BC, lovely to see you here on this blog! Breaking the flow is something that frustrates me at times.
Deniz, I tell you, I could not believe my eyes when I read it. I do so agree, the greats were a little high at times, and it worked for them!
Dieter, bonjoir! I am going to be introducing my POV to Paris in my latest WIP.
I let my first sleep for months. It was worth the effort of ignoring, as I found great holes and yawned a couple of times. A good rule to follow.
Thank you all so much for your valuable comments and support. :)
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