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Breaking the Writing Rules

posted in: Writing Craft 2

CP Author PhotoGood morning everyone!

We’ve all been told to obey the rules since we were kids, but remember when we would ask why? I don’t know about you all, but I was regularly told, “Because I said so” and that was that.

One of the things I’ve learned is that when it comes to writing, nothing is that simple. To be honest, roughly 95% of the “rules” so many tout are nothing but opinions. Just look at how many different thoughts are there for POV, passive voice, and so on.

Everywhere we look online, in how-to books, and classes, we’re often told how to do something within set parameters. When it comes to creating art, doesn’t coloring inside the lines seem counterproductive at times? Think of it this way: If you want to stand out from the crowd, how will you do so if you’re duplicating what everyone else is doing?

I’m a proud non-conformist and have been called a “Gate Smasher” for speaking my mind against the notion many push that one size fits all. Each of us have different views and opinions that can be helpful to one another. We never know when a little tidbit of information may provide us with a missing piece for a story or technique we’re trying.

By: Stefano Mazzone
By: Stefano Mazzone

Whether it’s POV, passive voice, dialogue, or even the type of story you’re writing, if you’re unsure of what you’re doing, go for it anyway. It’s about staying true to yourself, your vision, and your story. Worst case scenario is you’ll decide not to use that idea later. You’ll never know if you don’t take the chance and try it, you won’t know how something will work out.

One of my favorite quotes concerning this came from Francis Ford Coppola during an interview on The Director’s Chair. “I often tell young people that the things you’re fired for when you’re young, are the same things they give you lifetime achievement awards for when you’re older.”

If you get right down to it, if you want success, you emulate what the successful do, right? It all comes down to what we each define as success and what we want out of our endeavors. If we break a few opinions along the way, why not enjoy the ride. We won’t know where it’ll take us until we get on.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 🙂

2 Responses

  1. Ed Ireland
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    Hey Ed
    As cliche as it sounds, I write for myself first. I have stories that for some reason need to be put out. I never understood why and gave up trying to understand it. Everybody has stories, and the lucky ones don’t feel a need to share. The rest of us are in trouble.
    So I write, and I release. If just one person reads my work I’m thrilled. I won’t lie and say I don’t want to be a famous writer, but if it happens, it happens. In the meantime, I’ll write in whatever style I see fit. If I want a first person, I’ll do it. If telling a part of my story makes more sense to me in a passive voice, then guess what…passive it is. I might not be selling enough to buy that new house, but I’m not getting horrific reviews for my style choices.
    I think you’re right. Being exactly like a hundred thousand other writers is not getting you noticed. If Stephen King wrote exactly like Gregory Maquire who wrote exactly like Rudyard Kipling, libraries would be pretty dull places. I say write from the heart and let the experts write like everybody else.

    • CP Bialois
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      Thanks for commenting, Ed! 🙂
      I agree completely on all counts.
      I have to write for me. If not, I feel dirty and unfulfilled. I love when people enjoy my work, but if not, it’s cool. I think taking that step and putitng them out there is a win. 🙂
      I’ve had people tell me I’d sell more if I used Third Person Limited or Multiple Selective instead of Omniscient, but I like Omniscient. It’s fun and I get to torment more people in few pages. lol