"Relativity" by M.C. Escher
I was trying to write the other day, and kept stopping mid-sentence.
"No, I can't use 'was' here - that's passive. But so is this adverb. And adverbs are baaad. Too many adjectives. What an info dump. I'll switch this stuff around and put a comma here and start the sentence with the verb. How can this dialogue be better? But that's not the character's words. You want me to do what? No, my dear main protagonist, I'm not going to do that. That's against the rules."
Don't get me wrong. I love the rules! And using them helps my writing bit by bit, sentence by sentence. But don't you ever feel overwhelmed as you read through blog posts and the rules are pounded into your head one after the other? I have a whole binder filled with lists and articles of rules. Miss Snark Thoughts, Tagline Help, Simple Rules to Grammar, Ten Mistakes Writers Don't See, Show Don't Tell, etc. etc. etc. That's just a few.
I think I'm getting lost in a maze . . .
I'm overwhelmed by all of this information. And I keep wondering if I really have to follow all these rules. Is 'was' really THAT bad of a word? Is it terrible to say a character has terror spread across his face instead of describing every facial feature and body action and voice inflection? Seriously, it's too much! Even in a polished draft I'm wondering how much we get too caught up in the rules and less involved in our own gut instincts and voice and style?
Questions For The Day: Are we letting the writing "rules" (excluding grammar) affect our natural sense of storytelling? Or do all of these rules eventually weave into our existing talents and strengthen them?
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47 comments:
First comment!
...couldn't resist. :P
I think this goes back to your whole layers thing. You're doing a rewrite, which is different from a revision. you need to focus on getting the draft down before you can go back and revise it to include the things you missed like sensory description (or whatever you always forget to add the 1st time around), then the line edits.
Grammar is for the polishing round. I never let it get in the way of my story, but I don't use it as an excuse for poor writing, either. You have to find your balance, and the only way to do that is lots of practice. :)
I agree with M. Dunham. You've got to get it down and then correct. If you're correcting as you write it can interrupt the flow of the story.
Rules are made to be broken.
Okay, maybe they're not. At some point, the rules become chains that bind us and restrict our writing freedom.
My Enlish 111 teacher once told me that I could toss out the rules once I began writing for myself, and not a grade. Well, I tossed out the rules a bit before then and received an 'A' for my break from boring essays to something a bit more exciting.
As for my manuscripts, I take the rules to heart, but I write how I write. Sometimes, the word "that" is needed. Sometimes, an adverb is needed. I think we just have to 'trust' ourselves, our ability, our knowledge of the rules, and then write to the best of our abilities. The world is not going to come to an end if we bend/break a rule every now and then . . . in regards to writing. If ending a sentence with a preposition is the best thing for that sentence . . . do it! If using the word 'was' is the best thing . . . do it.
When our writing becomes stifled because of too many rules, what's the point?
Lastly, with Word, you can check a box and it will automatically check for passive voice. I have this option turned on. Normally, with just a bit of changing, the passive disappears.
S
Ooops . . English, not Enlish!!!
I think by trying too hard to follow rules you sometimes stifle your creativity and the flow of your story. My first drafts are full of "was"s and "ly"s and anything else that is forbidden. But then I go through and shape it up. I'm also finding that the more I write, the more I just think differently. In the newest book I wrote, everything has been easier and I find myself doing the "bad" things less and less. Sigh. Now if it could just get me an agent, lol. I'll have to think a bit harder about those blog posts and get back to you. Ugh. It's too early to think. ;D
I agree with Scott: rules are made to be broken (judiciously).
They are guideposts, not a concise set of instructions. If your writing is assembled with total respect to all the individual pet peeves posted on the blogoshpere, you will have no unique voice.
WAS- I just opened THE ROAD to a random page. Pulitzer-prize winning work, the random page contains this line: "The cart was too heavy to push into the wet woods..."
Could he have shown how heavy the cart was instead of telling us? Yes.
Do I give a damn as a reader? No.
Now, if the entire story was written that way I may lose interest, but an occasional was, adverb, instance of passive voice, fragment, and other grammatical no-no's will not spoil a good story.
Sterilizing your voice will.
Oooo, I love MC Escher, and this perfectly illustrates the conundrum you speak of (using Scott's license to break the preposition rule).
I try to tell myself that the creative stage shouldn't be concerned with rules, but they are already in our heads, many times for the best since it eliminates stuff needing later fixing. But it's true that sometimes it just stops the flow and we're dammed (yes, that is the spelling for what I mean). One problem for me is that I'm in two critique groups and the perfectionist in me hates those red ink corrections, so I do editing as I go. But you are right that the danger is when fussing with words and second-guessing dulls the voice.
My dream is that someday a lot of this will be second-nature, less of a struggle. And maybe not. But I can't help thinking I am already a better writer for all the great discussions like this one. Thanks for bringing up this point.
I think eventually all of the rules just get integrated in our minds, and then they cause quite as much of a disruption. But, early on, the rules can be a challenge, both to follow and to breakaway from.
For me, I view the "graduation" of a certain rule when I feel like I understand it enough to know when I can ignore it.
I think so, yes. We get so caught up in what we're supposed to do, it hampers what we can do. I'm trying through my current WIP not to listen to that editor's voice, and just let the story tell itself. Let my true voice come through. What needs fine-tuned can come later.
Rules? Are you serious?
*Hippy chick Natalie saunters into the party*
Uh, there are no rules. All this stuff people spew are guidelines at best. Some of the advice out there is great. Some of it is crap. NONE of it is law.
What it comes down to is moderation. Any "bad habit" overused disrupts story flow. That's the real issue. It's about using a balance of grammatical forms, not eliminating every adjective in the book.
I think it's okay to break the rules under these circumstances: 1) You know the rule and are purposely breaking it to allow for your own style, 2) you're consistent with the rules you follow and the ones you let slide (although that can appear as though you don't know the rule... not sure how to avoid that though), and 3) the rule that is broken isn't a major one. It's NOT okay to put a two page info dump anywhere in your story no matter how much you "need" it to reflect your style. However, it's okay to have some telling moments, some adverbs, and some passive sentences as long as they don't dominate your manuscript.
Can't wait for the list of favorite posts.
P.S. You = the writer (not YOU).
Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
Yah Michelle, the rules are made to be broken in Photography too, and you know it, so just go with it ;)
I say whatever sounds the best is what you should go with, rules be damned. Just find that nice balance between abiding citizen and reckless sinner and you are good to go.
I think that the only rule you shouldn't break is: You must make yourself understood by/understandable to the reader.
I also think a lot of people who say "rules are made to be broken" don't understand the rules in the first place, and can't be bothered to learn why the rules exist. So rules aren't broken so much as ignored. "Hey, Scott, that's not a nice thing to say." Hey, I know. I don't care.
I don't have an article or anything to send you as requested, because I can't think offhand of anything specific that really turned my head around...except the experience of reading Mikhail Bulgakov's "The Master and Margarita" for the first time. I had no idea such things were possible. I would not be a novelist, I think, had I not read that book.
I just have to say ditto to what every one has said so far.
I find that when I read posts and books about how to write, it stifles my creativity and makes me question every single thing. Especially while I'm in the middle of writing a story. So, I set the books aside, quit reading "you must do this" write by the rules blogs and let it flow.
As you know I'm entirely rewriting the first wip which just sucked. I would hand write, then type up and found myself editing it as I typed it up. However, even that became a trial and slowed down the flow. Getting lost in the maze as you said. The characters in my head wanted to get on with the story. I wanted to get on with the story.
So, now I'm just writing until I get to 'the end', then going to type it up. At that point I will go back to the books and blogs with the "rules" and keep them in mind as I edit.
I'll go through my bookmarked posts and pick out the top two that helped, forward them on. But, right now I have to get ready for work. A Happy belated 4th of July. Hope you had fun. :)
Put it on paper, then correct.
As for the rules, I see them more as guidelines. I can't count the number of times I've seen them bent/broken by established writers, so why worry.
Rules give me a headache. I unintentionally break them so often. But some of the rules have made me a much, much better writer, so I'm thankful for all the brave souls who have shared them with me. I'm e-mailing you my fave blog post and I know you're going to laugh!
Thank you!! As a new writer, I have been so overwhelmed by the rules, at times my brain freezes up, scared to keep going. I keep telling myself to write with my heart and rewrite with my head. I think you do need to know the rules in order to break them later on. They do help you become a better writer, but are not meant to stifle the story.
I think rules are made to be bent, not completely broken, just twisted a bit when the timing is right. You are never going to write a mechanically perfect book. You would lose all sense of style. It's ok to bend a little here and there. Just try and do it wisely. Of course as I say this, I'm still fighting with where to wisely bend the rules myself. LoL. Great topic. I'll be looking forward to seeing the most helpful post too.
Can I smack someone with a 2x4 yet?
"Was" is not Evil Incarnate. You will not go to Hell for using an adverb. A few adjectives don't equal selling your soul to the devil. (Do you like my theme here? O:)) Telling on occasion works BETTER for the story/pacing/etc. An occasional use of passive voice will not make editors send a hitman after you.
Ugh! Everything in the language has a place, a use, and was invented for a reason. Okay? Stop stressing. ;)
OVERuse generally equals bad (note, generally). So too many adverbs, too man "was"es, too much passive voice, etc, will weaken your writing, yes. (If you have a specific style or tone you're working towards, sometimes you will deliberately decide to use more than is considered "good". As long as you know WHY you are doing it and can pull it off.)
Look. If everyone everywhere got rid of every "was", every adverb, every adjective, every note of Telling, and everything else we get told is bad!evil!OMGWTFBBQdonotuseunderpenaltyofdeath! then, well, we would all have a really literary scene for everyone BEING THE SAME.
Yes, you should know proper comma usage, how to punctuate dialogue, the difference between plural and possessives, etc. I'm not saying grammar shouldn't be adhered to, but obsessing over using "was" to the point you can't write is just plain stupid. ;) No offence, Glam, but you seriously need to lighten up, cut yourself some slack, and focus on getting story re-written before you panic over the placement of an adverb. :)
I understand perfectionists, and people who DO obsess over every word as they write *eyes her roommate* but I think there is a difference in obsessing over the words, your style, etc, and trying to rigidly conform to EVERYTHING that are considered "da rules" of writing.
They're more like guidelines anyway. B-)
*Merc steps off her battle-soapbox*
~Merc
Ha, ha-I just read Natalie's rant about the rules before I came over here. I agree-it is such a maze. If only we could just write, right? And not worry about the rules.
It's easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of craft we need to learn and practice. But as with anything new, we need to work on a little bit at a time until it becomes second nature. Once we've learned how to eliminate most of the pesky adverbs, then we can focus on writing more in the active tense, etc. In the long run we'll be happier to have a tighter well written MS the first time through than to continually have to go back and edit. But it takes time and effort to train ourselves in new habits!
I tend to see the rules as guidelines. Every story is different and needs different things. I don't worry about the rules or the guidelines while I'm writing. Doing that gets in the way of the writing.
That's why it's good to have some of your betas just be readers, as opposed to writers. Writers sometimes tend to fixate on small things and lose sight of the big picture. :D
I think as writers we can all get a little too caught up in the rules game, and forget that the first rule should always be, "Do what works."
Of course, you have to know the rules, and to some extent mastered those rules before you start breaking them.
Michelle: For now, while you're writing a new first draft, I do have to agree with Merc: Forget about Getting It Right; just Get It Written.
Follow the spirit of the rules. Why not use "was"? Once you know the answer, you will know when it's acceptable to use "was" and when it is not.
I say this as someone who likes blogging and loves reading others' blogs, and books on writing, but maybe there are so many rules b/c everyone is writing "how to write" books and writing blogs, and we keep having to come up with rules and lists and guides so people will come back to read!
And I know I have no room to say this b/c I'm always freaking out about everything, but I agree with Merc. Lighten up a bit and have fun with your story. Obviously you're very passionate about it. Don't let the "rules" kill it!
I don't have posts to recommend (too many blogs to remember where they came from!) but all I can say is that sometimes we push the line of improvement vs. imposter. We need to trust ourselves first and then the advice or "rules" of the rest of the world. It's your voice-- your voice--that will make the difference.
Love grammar as I do, sometimes you just have to forget it to move forward. Go with your gut and just get the words out. Turn off your internal editor and let the creator within you work its beauty on the page first.
That's my 2 cents. =]
Marisol: Yay for being the first comment! Yes, it goes in layers, I know. This rewrite is weird because I already know the story. And the reason I'm rewriting it is because I got it wrong the first time. Maybe I should have paid attention to more of the rules that first time around. My head hurts.
Lois: Yes, this is my main problem - correcting as I write. But it's built in. It's not usually a problem until I start thinking of TOO MANY rules. But keeping the basic guidelines in my head is what works the best. I'm trying to pare that down as I write.
Scott: Where is that option in Word?! I can't imagine that working as well as my own pair of eyes, but it might help. *goes to look in in Word...*
Bonnie: I think I get frustrated about all of this because I'm a new writer. Granted, I've been writing since I was 10, but not novels. For some reason novels comprise the biggest amount of "forbidden" things. As if writing as story that long wasn't hard enough!
Rick: I've never thought of any of the "rules" as a concise set of instructions, thank goodness. If I did, I would have stopped writing years ago. Talk about pressure! I like your phrase of "sterilizing your voice" - that's exactly how I feel sometimes.
Tricia: Yes, gotta love the preposition endings, haha! I see that you understand what I'm getting at in this post - that sometimes the "rules" can just bring us to a halt. But I trust my brain to filter it all in with more and more practice, until they aren't rules anymore. In fact, as Scott B. says down below, they weren't rules to begin with...
Davin: Yes, when I can ignore these things and write naturally but better because of what I've learned, that's when I know a certain "rule" works. Those are the ones I keep. One of my favorites is the post you wrote about using negatives. For some reason, that one has helped me out so much.
Janna: Yes, supposed to do is the key phrase. That's the part that always stops me in my tracks and makes me scream in frustration.
Natalie: Lovely response post on your blog. I think I'm mostly frustrated because in a short amount of time I've seen so many things that I'm overusing. So I'm going through this "training period" to fix the bad habits. It's like trying to stop biting my nails. I'm just whining about it.
Lynette: I like your comment on consistency. That seems to be my problem at the moment - I'm starting to see all the things I'm not consistent on, and it's driving me nuts.
Meghan: Nice philosophy. Yes, photography has rules too - and most of it is stylistic. Funny how I have a hard time seeing that in writing as much. But I think it's true. I just get more criticism in writing than I do in photography.
Scott B.: That book does indeed sound good. If you praise it that highly I should check it out. I love the one ultimate rule you point out. I agree! Harder to say than practice. I'll work on it.
Robin: Sounds like a good plan! I'm in the same boat with rewriting. REwriting is so much different than just writing a first draft. It's like there's a separate course to follow because you already know so much about the story, but it's also like you're writing it for the first time.
Martin: Yes, I have to agree about the guidelines. If I start thinking of them in those terms instead of "rule" terms, that should help.
Jill: I applaud anybody who puts up guidelines or rules or advice on writing. It's wonderful to read other experiences and ideas and see what will work for us. Trial and error. It can get pretty frustrating when you take it too seriously, though.
Sherrinda: Perfect quote! Write with your heart, rewrite with your head. I guess that's my issue. I'm rewriting. So that means I'm focused more on polishing even though it's the first draft of the rewrite. Talk about complicated.
Quixotic: I look forward to the helpful post, too... if anybody would send me anything! Guess nobody has lists of posts they love. Or readily available, anyway.
Great thoughts on twisting the rules!
Merc: ...backs away slowly All right all right, I'll lighten up!
You have some great points here. Brilliant, as usual! And the gist of your comment, as Scott states below, is the thing I must focus on.
Are you referencing Pirates there at the end? Nice.
Jessie: Worrying about the rules seems to be a side affect of being a writer. Catch-22 in so many instances!
Jody: You get it EXACTLY! I like the things I'm learning. They really are helpful if used as guidelines. I'm trying to practice and hone this craft. It takes a long time, and for many many years down the road, I'll be learning all the little things that will eventually show up as a huge change in my writing - for the better.
Dani: Yep! Readers can be very helpful if the're not writers. They see things so differently, and aren't even aware of all those guidelines. Refreshing!
Kate: "Do what works." That's what I'm trying to learn. Getting there one small step at at time.
Scott B.: It's technically not a first draft, but it kind of is. What do you call a rewritten story with elements of the first drafts, but also completely new?
Justus: Exactly! That's a perfect explanation of what I want to try and do - "follow the spirit of the rules".
Annie: I think you've hit on something elemental here - are we searching for more rules and guidelines because that's what we're "supposed to do?" I know I feel pressure to give out advice on how to better ourselves as writers, but perhaps I should be focusing on more positive things instead. It's like all the bad news out there. I've got to flip this mentality around! Maybe then I can lighten up.
L.T.: So true that it's my voice that makes the difference! Not the rules and guidelines.
Howdy Glam,
I look forward to your blog of rules. You do a great job with that sort of thing. And, if I may, just a quick public Thank You.. Many of the helpful blogs I now enjoy, and learn from, I found through you...And did I mention, Dragon? - Of course thanks to her nitpicking, and pointing out 'rules', I'm doin' a wagon load of, Fixin'.
Gitty Up - Dutch
I totally think people (especially writers) let the rules bog them down. I even break grammar rules, just because I want to. So there. Ha ha!
In fact, in my live critique group, sometimes a girl or two will sit and pick me apart for repetition (intentional), telling about an emotion (again intentional) or for using "was" too much. Does that mean I'm a bad writer? I don't think so. And I think sometimes we lose sight of that as we read other people's stuff. I know people who like to tear other writer's work apart just because they can--not because they're trying to be helpful in any way.
So yeah, the rules? I don't really pay that much attention to them. I try to create characters and stories and plot twists that are interesting and full of voice, even if the grammar isn't 100% correct.
I'll have to think of my favorite posts. I know I have some, but I can't recall them off the top of my head.
I echo Merc wholeheartedly. And to Kate Karyus Quinn's I want to add: Do what works FOR YOU. You're the author. You own it. It's yours. Do what you want with it. Even if that means you tell using was and adjectives. OWN it, baby!
Rules are there to make you think before you break them.
It's okay to use adverbs, or be passive, or tell... if it works, it works.
I'll send you some posts later :o)
One of my post popular blog post is "To Be" Verbs -- To Use or Not To Use I wrote it over a year ago, when the discussion of "the rules" was going around. Mostly, I wrote the post to help me get it clear in my head why I would want to use or avoid the forms of be. My thinking then and my thinking now is that the rules are useless unless we understand the reason behind them, but if we know that, then we probably don't need the rules. The conclusion I came to with that post was that there are indeed cases where we not only want to "break the rule," but there are cases where breaking the rule is the only thing that will do. The more I write, the less attention I pay to the rules. I know what they are, but if I'm thinking about the rules while I'm writing then I'm probably writing something that affect me so little that I should probably cut it anyway.
LadyGlam, not much I can add after all of the great advice, but just wanted to say I agree that for me at least getting it written first is the best way to go and then I go back and try to apply some rules. Also, I have read so many post about adjectives being bad that I do try to keep them in mind during my first draft.
I am struggling with this same problem right now, Lady Glam, so I understand what you're going through!
Natalie's counter-rant did a good job of covering most of my opinions and made me laugh when she put things into perspective with, "Guidelines are important, don't get me wrong. They help facilitate the reader's understanding of our work. I really wouldn't recommend writing your masterpiece using three languages, no punctuation, and mathmatical equations to express emotions."
If I remember correctly, the sentances that took my breath away while beta reading "The Breakaway" were not textbook examples found in an English class of how to craft the perfect sentence. Instead, they were beautiful because they freely conveyed beauty, like a butterfly dancing amoung wildflowers.
You already know it, but create first, craft second, and continue being the amazing writer we love!
Oh, and here are my top two (too important to be hidden in an email):
Genius
Perfection
Sometimes we need to re-read what we've written before to realize we already are more wise than we thought...
I love what Elana said about owning it. The story is yours, and owning up to it is all part of the process. :D
I have two reading modes now: Beta Reader and Leisure Reader. In Beta Reader mode I rip apart passages with too many adjectives, adverbs, etc. In Leisure Reader mode I tend to not even notice that kind of thing unless it's really abundant and glaringly obvious.
I experimented with a book I'm reading. I went back to a chapter I'd already read and re-read it in Beta Reader mode. I found all sorts of things to nitpick that I hadn't even noticed on first reading.
Based on that experience, I think maybe you should go back and read your "Dude, I Don't Care!" post. Readers won't even notice a lot of the little things you stress over if they're focusing on your story and not on your use of be verbs.
This might just inspire me to write a whole blog post...
But one thing I've noticed is that when a critiquer is either not very good (i.e. no experience, or just has poor taste in writing) or the critiquer is rushing, they tend to revert back to "rules." I.e. their comments focus on nit-picky pointless things (such as a character's name, or a few minor style issues) rather than the actual story.
On the flip side, every critique from a professional--an editor or agent--has NEVER focused on these issues.
Finding people to look at the STORY (and, of course, writing style is a part of the story) is often more important than people who focus only on the writing.
I definitely think we do that. I know I've read some good posts about breaking the rules. I'll try to dig one up. :-)
I get too caught up in the rules. I know rules were made for a reason, but I refuse to tie myself to them anymore. If I need to break one for an absolutely, fantastic reason. I will! :) Nice post!
I think the best advice I ever got was from the Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maass. Every section has advice better than the one before. It's not as much about rules as it is about polishing.
I try not to focus on rules. And it sounds like you are still in the overall revising bit so don't worry about the rules. Worry about your plot and your characters. Why make the perfect word choice when those words might go away anyways?
Did I mention I love, love, love Escher? He's my favorite! Have you seen the Three Worlds one?
Michelle, I struggle with the same thing. Sometimes I feel it chokes my writing and my energy. I'll be anxious to read what others contribute!
Dutch: I'm touched by your thanks! I am so happy that you feel like you can move confidently forward with your changes. That makes all the difference in the world!
Elana: You rock! OWN IT! THAT is some of the best advice I've ever heard. I loved that post on your blog. Owning our work means we have confidence, and with confidence, the "rules" tend to work so much better because we're not stuck to them.
Liana: Thanks. I know you have some great ones, even on your own blog!
Timothy: Thanks for your comment! And what a great post you shared. It really does make a huge difference if we know WHY the rule is there and what purpose it's serving. If we don't know that, we're flying blind, and that's never good.
Crimey: There are some very specific posts that have made a huge impact on me. Those are the "rules" that I've made my own rules. As Timothy said, you have to know the reason behind the rule. Adjectives are bad if you tend to use them as crutch for telling, not showing. That's one of the reasons I avoid them.
Tara: Glad to know I'm not alone!
Alicia: Hah, great posts! And I need to read my own words and take my own advice much more often. Yes, Natalie's post was awesome. It really helped me think through some things and nail my ideas down. Post coming...
Dani: I agree!
Becca: Great point that it is the story first that matters the most. I constantly forget this. It's just that I want that story in the shiniest container I can find. I'm learning. I'm learning.
Beth: Oh, awesome point! When a reader is focusing on something other than the story, the book is either not for them, they're just being lazy, or the writing is really really bad - so bad the story isn't there. I rarely see that.
Jessica: Glad I'm not alone. Hope you send those over!
Robyn: Ah, I'm trying to break free! I'm glad you feel so confident. That's truly a blessing. :)
Lauren: Really great points about story and characters, yes! And I've got to read that Maas book. Everybody raves about it! I just wouldn't want to treat it like a bible. Sometimes that's tempting.
Bonnie: Yes, he's awesome! I need to look up that picture.
Amy: I was anxious, too, to read what everybody would send me. But so far only two people have sent me stuff. So much for easy research! Haha. I'll be sure to share some of my favorites.
Oh boy. I have done this before. I literally edited the voice out of my last novel because I was trying to follow "the rules" too much. My last novel, I learned my lesson. I didn't edit so heavily, but allowed my natural voice to shine through.
Melissa: Yeah... I've done the same thing with editing ME out of the story altogether. It was a horrible experience! One I don't wish to repeat. Hope we've both learned our lessons!
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