Writing Rules?

There are rules? Really? Okay, all joking aside, yes, there are rules. These rules were made by professors of writing, other authors, publishers, you name it. However, I adhere to the old adage, rules were made to be broken.

The only rules I adhere to, when it comes to my craft, are found during the editing process. When it comes to the actual writing, I threw the rule book out of the window. Writing and rules, like pretty much anything else in life, follows only one true tenent: What works for one, may not or will not work for another.

Every day, I sit down and write. I let the words flow forth in whatever way they feel fit. I do not let rules laid down by authors who need them, hinder my creative flow. I get the words of the story down. I write for me; for the story I have to tell. I do not believe in conforming to a specific mold, for that I believe, hinders creativity and the story.

I do not consider the rules set in stone. I consider them more like guidelines. These guidelines are what others have found worked for them. Me, I follow my gut instinct. It never leads me astray. Personally, I see the rules as giving someone else control over how my story forms. Sorry, but I do not want anyone but me to have control over my story and how it is told.

Now when it comes to the editing process, rules for grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. are a must. Bad grammar and punctuation can make or break a story, no matter how good it may be. In this sense, rules are necessary.

In the end, people can continue to make all the rules they want when it comes to writing. Me, I will follow my heart and gut instinct and let the chips fall where they may.

Until next time,

Raven