There are all sorts of rules out there for us writers:
- Cut down on adverbs.
- Single Point of View Characters (no omniscient)
- No purple prose
- Perfect grammar
- Tight sentences
- 'said' only speech tag
- Too many commas and such
- No cliches
- fresh writing
- Natural dialogue--no spelling out language the way it sounds: "Ah din't know yous kewd doose dat?"
- Characters: cliche descriptions
- present tense form being a no-no
I do love writing and have learned tons about the craft.
Rules, Rules, Rules. Okay, what we are going to do is REBEL against those rules on June 18th. Let's think outside the box. Bring on your first drafts, your when-you-were-a-kid-first-draft kinda writing. Let's see how many of us have grown from it and how common these rules were broken in the good ole days of writing innocence.
I believe this is going to be a challenge because it goes against everything a writer believes, so . . .
Who's with me? Leave your brave, brave comments along with your petitioned name below with Simply Linked--don't worry, I won't tell on you. Cross my heart.
PS--Okay, okay, here's a bribe . . . do you see that awesome book above? I will enter you for a drawing for your participation. Please help spread the word, it'll be fun! ;)
Tee-hee, I'm so excited! Already signed up!!!! I linked you on my blog today. ;)
ReplyDelete*rushes off to trunked novels for examples...worries at how hard it'll be to choose from the mass of broken rules that I'll find*
I'm in- great idea!
ReplyDeleteOoooh! Thank you, Laura, and Creepy Query Girl--I'm so excited! Mine will be very purple prosie. Ahhh, the good old days....
ReplyDelete;)
Eeek, I have many first drafts that are complete pants! LOL!
ReplyDeleteIt's too scary to share because they are complete embarassing smelly pants! LOL! Oooh how do I join? LOL!
take care
x
Hi Jennifer! All you need to do is fill in your name, your emial (which does NOT show) and your blog address on those white blanks above under the PS and where it says: submit your link. It'll be fun! I hope you join the cause! ;)
ReplyDeleteSo true, that list of shoulds and shouldn'ts can get annoying. I've seen those 'mistakes' in some of the best books out there. I guess we need to fine a happy medium.
ReplyDeleteHave a great night! :)
Oh, I have some bad stuff. Truly bad stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou knew I meant 'find' not 'fine', I'm sure! ;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like fun...I can't wait to be bad. I'm posting this blogfest on my sidebar...good luck!
ReplyDeleteSince I've really only been writing for a short while now . . . can my first stuff count? (All I've got is stuff I wrote as an adult.)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea!
I'm not usually able to fit in blogfests - just not enough time in the day. But if I can manage, I'll put my name on :)
ReplyDeleteLOL, Michelle, I was wondering how you were going to creep up on happy medium and write him a ticket! ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read it, Angie!!! Muahahhahah!
Thank you, Raquel! :D
Lisa--of course anything counts, not just childhood stuff, I'm thinking pure, raw writing without the taint of rules.
Yay, sounds fun! And embarrassing, but oh well, I shall be brave! I'm going to have to scout out some first drafts, though (which is hard, because I don't actually have 'first drafts' as I edit so much as I write).
ReplyDeleteSangu~ I know, this is going to be an embarrassing Blogfest, but I think we'll all be stronger for it... Thank you for joining it, you've just made my day!! ((Hugs))
ReplyDeleteAdded to my master list:
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.dawnsrise.com/p/upcoming-blogfests.html
I'll just put up something from my 25-yo WIP that I thought was excellent at the time.
AND I think you overlooked the biggest "rule" of all:
SHOW DON'T TELL!
Hey, Andrew!! Doh! That's right!!! How could I forget that? :(
ReplyDeletePS--thank you for adding it! ;D
ReplyDeleteI added you to my list, too ; )
ReplyDeleteOk I've just scheduled the post for this 'fest because if I hadn't, I'd sooo have chickened out. I'll be treating you to my first ever piece of writing. OMG I'm so glad I don't write like that anymore. *cringe*
ReplyDeleteTessa, understand--we all started somewhere...thank you for joining my blogfest, you are sooo coo! ;)
ReplyDeleteWoo Hoo for breaking the rules of writing! Yay! Oh, and I don't need to be in the drawing for the book. I own it already. Let someone else win that one. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Dawn--okay, thanks for letting me know! It'll be fun! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm digging out my first me now, if I get brave enough I'll sign up! Sounds fun but I'm such a chicken!
ReplyDeleteHi Renae! Kudos to you! I know what you mean...I'm so proud of you!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteI don't really have anymore first drafts of stories... They were all burned at the stake for sucking. BUT! I have some "poetry" I wrote when I was like fifteen, back when no one understood what my broken heart felt like and I was alone in the world... you get the idea. Lol!
ReplyDeleteLinking you in my blog post :)
<3 Kelsey Leigh
Kelsey!! Awww, thank you. ((Hugs)) to the little Kelsey who was broken-hearted. I hated high school and was so grateful when I graduated. I can't wait to read your poem!!! <3
ReplyDeleteI have loads of old WIPs that I haven't had the heart to delete but KNOW they are horrible! What a cool idea for a blogfest!
ReplyDeleteSuzie, I'm so glad you're joining us--welcome!!! :D
ReplyDeleteOh, this is gonna be F.U.N. I'm gonna Twitter and FB and then put it in my Sidebar.
ReplyDeleteI'm in! :)
ReplyDeleteRaShelle, why thank you! ((Hugs)) You'se so sweet! :D
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amy! :)
I'll give it a shot :D I'll certainly post on FB and Twitter...:D
ReplyDeleteUm...So, I'm new to this blogging thing...maybe someone could explain to me how a blogfest works? I'd LOVE to enter...if I knew what I was supposed to be doing. lol Just call me a little slow... :P
ReplyDeleteI been pimpin yas 'fest fer ages, an sorta like fegot ta sin up.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it Elizabeth!
.......dhole
I don't see my link...should I try again, or is it too late? lol
ReplyDelete