Never Say Never
Recently as I was traversing the blogosphere, I came across an author post that stated "Never blah-blah-blah." As in never do such-and-such when you write.
I didn't read the whole thing. I'd read this author's work before and felt that the craft guideline being espoused was too extreme and perhaps breaking it a bit might've benefited this author's work.
So I moved on, knowing that I'll never say never when it comes to my writing.
The reason I'm writing this is because I love to give my opinions on this blog about how to write a great story and to share craft tips but...I'm not perfect.
This is my official disclaimer. *wink*
If you read my book and you're a writer, you'll see places where I employed active voice, kept tension on every page, and used deep pov. On other pages...well, let's just say I'm better at dishing advice than following it sometimes. :-)
Do you worry about people reading your book and being disappointed? What was the last craft rule you broke? What is your favorite one to follow?
I didn't read the whole thing. I'd read this author's work before and felt that the craft guideline being espoused was too extreme and perhaps breaking it a bit might've benefited this author's work.
So I moved on, knowing that I'll never say never when it comes to my writing.
The reason I'm writing this is because I love to give my opinions on this blog about how to write a great story and to share craft tips but...I'm not perfect.
This is my official disclaimer. *wink*
If you read my book and you're a writer, you'll see places where I employed active voice, kept tension on every page, and used deep pov. On other pages...well, let's just say I'm better at dishing advice than following it sometimes. :-)
Do you worry about people reading your book and being disappointed? What was the last craft rule you broke? What is your favorite one to follow?
Comments
Your book is awesome:))
I've broken rules. We must write how it feels right.
I am so looking forward to your book, Jessica!
I have learned to be brave and break more than I bend now. :D
I just write and if it works, I keep it. If not, I toss it and fix it with something that does. Can't wait to read your book!
I can't wait to read your book as well!!
Jessica, so true. The hard part is if I don't see what's not working...lol
LOL Keli! You're too funny. I can't wait to read your squeakage! *grin*
That's interesting. Those are rules I'm not familiar with, probably because my genre is a little different than yours. But the prologue thing, I've heard that one. I want to read your book except I'm afraid it's going to make me cry! lol
Exactly Terri! We don't want to read the same thing over and over. And thank you for your encouragement. :-) I appreciate it!
Good advice, Loree! All of it.
LOL Joanne, there is a certain kind of fun to it, right?
Oh my goodness Lindsay. I love fragments! Probably too much. lol
The one I hold most sacred is single POV per scene, but I've been known to break a scene in two just so I can switch POV's.
But I should probably never do that, huh?! :-)
Linda, actually, I hold low expectations too because it's so much easier to be surprised in a good way than a bad. :-)
Unfortunately, writers can be the harshest critics, especially aspiring writers because they notice all the things they've been taught NOT to do.
When I went back and read one of my favorite authors years later (after learning about deep pov) the head-hopping in her story drove me crazy. It had never bothered me when I was just a reader!
On the flipside, now that I know how much blood, sweat and tears goes into writing a novel, I appreciate them all the more, even if it's not to my taste.
Pretty sure I break the rule about floating limbs all the time, saying things like "A hand reached out..." The good thing is, there's always revisions... :)
I think the most important thing is to stay true to your voice, as long as you can do it in a way that the reader can understand.
That's how you decide: you ask yourself if it will make the story more clear or more emotionally relatable by keeping or breaking a certain rule, and you act accordingly.
Books that break rules can be well received; books that keep rules can be not so well received. I think the best thing to do is write the best story you can, one that you love, and there will be others out there - even if it isn't everybody - who love it too.
Patti, yep. :-)
Oh Melissa, LOL, if I have floating body parts I don't know it. That's one thing I never, ever notice. Someone would have to point it out to me.
Well-said, Miss Anita!! When're you coming to do a guest post? lol
Very, very true Stacy. I do love subjectivity. :-)
I hope that last sentence makes sense.
I have to let my first novel be that: my first novel.
I did my best -- whatever it was at the time.
I'm already working on book #2, determined to write a better novel, because I've learned so much more.
And yes, I know the rules. I remind others of the rules (it's what an editor does) and ... I break 'em. (the rules, not the people.)
:)
Yes, I worry that readers will say, "What? I can do better than this." But if one person is helped by my writing, I'll be happy.
My fav rule to keep is active verbs. My fav to break: fragments. I talk in fragments, so I write in fragments. Drives my son nuts.
Thanks for the words of wisdom!
I suppose I better just keep on with the advice of "never say never".
Jeanette, every page doesn't zing but I'll admit to still loving my story. LOL
That's true, Susie!
Too funny Kara!
Heather, love your last line.
Not every reader will love my book no matter how well I craft it. I've also come to terms that editors/agents/critique partners will always find something they think I should change.
I probably wouldn't do that in a book I was writing, but I might.
But, also, we are not perfect - our novels are not these perfect tomes of Lofty Perfection.
WHen I read another author's work, I just hope to be engaged by the characters, want to follow them where they lead me, and to escape into the fiction - I really don't care about all the other stuff so much if I am engaged.
And, as I said on Jody's blog -- I am MUCH more forgiving now that I have my own books out - lawd! :-D I understand more now than I ever did before about this process of publication.
You are in a genre I do not normally read, but I am looking forward to reading your book.
And yes, I worry about disappointing my readers - but I just do the best I can, writing the best books I can, and hope I am loved :-D
Julie, that's what I want to know too? lol
Karen, probably.
Susan, you rule-breaker! lol
Nancy, you know a lot of words we use now Shakespeare made up. *grin*
Jennifer, yep.
True, Deb. I pretty much agree.
Good luck with Love on the Range. When it is out I will happily pop it onto New Book Blogger
for free advertising.