tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post8594710372932856478..comments2024-02-19T03:19:27.277-05:00Comments on Book Cannibal: How to Break The RulesBookCannibal9http://www.blogger.com/profile/14615469374819040342noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-38875384870283508022021-05-01T07:38:15.633-04:002021-05-01T07:38:15.633-04:00[gulp]
I’m gonna break-the-rule
with our blogOwam...[gulp] <br />I’m gonna break-the-rule<br />with our blogOwamma.<br />Wanna know how, pops?<br />+ en.gravatar.com/matteblk +<br />GBYAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-31265994901197687332013-02-08T20:42:27.773-05:002013-02-08T20:42:27.773-05:00Another set of rules was written by Sol Stein in h...Another set of rules was written by Sol Stein in his book Stein on Writing. They work wonderfully for all forms of story telling, although they may be redundant after Vonnegut and Leonard.<br /><br />The Ten Commandments of Writing According to Sol Stein<br /><br />1. Thou shalt not sprinkle characters into a preconceived plot lest thou produce hackwork. In the beginning was the character, then the word, and from the character’s words is brought forth action. <br />2. Thou shalt imbue thy heroes with faults and thy villains with charm, for it is the faults of the hero that bring forth his life, just as the charm of the villain is the honey with which he lures the innocent.<br />3. Thy characters shall steal, kill, dishonor parents, bear false witness, and covet their neighbor’s house, wife, man servant, maid servant, ox and ass, for reader’s crave such actions and yawn when thy characters are meek, innocent, forgiving, and peaceable. <br />4. Thou shalt not saw the air with abstractions, for readers, like lovers, are attracted to particularity.<br />5. Thou shalt not mutter, whisper, blurt, bellow, or scream, for it is the words and not the characterization of the words that must carry their decibels. <br />6. Thou shalt infect thy reader with anxiety, stress, and tension, for those conditions that he deplores in his life, he relishes in his fiction.<br />7. Thy language shall be precise, clear, and bear the wings of angels, for anything less is the province of businessmen and academics and not of writers.<br />8. Thou shalt have no rest on the Sabbath, for they characters shall live in thy mind and memory now and forever.<br />9. Thou shalt not forget dialogue is a foreign tongue, a semblance of speech and not a record of it, a language in which directness diminishes and obliqueness sings. Agendas are hidden as it is spoken with a serpent’s tongue. <br />10. Above all, thou shalt not vent thy emotions onto the reader, for thy duty is to evoke the reader’s emotions, and in that most of all lies the art of the writer.Dr. Lewis Preschel aka themadmutt, author of the Karmic Knight Mysteries.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04236970328157418273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-50916249784343379072013-02-08T20:40:15.494-05:002013-02-08T20:40:15.494-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Dr. Lewis Preschel aka themadmutt, author of the Karmic Knight Mysteries.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04236970328157418273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-26975077613088969642012-06-16T15:44:16.329-04:002012-06-16T15:44:16.329-04:00Its fantastic that I get to find rules and guideli...Its fantastic that I get to find rules and guidelines such as this. Especially for up and coming authors, or people who just enjoy writing in general. <br /><br />I'd appreciate it if you could check out some of the post I wrote myself. I plan on writing until my hearts content, but it's always good to get constructive criticism.<br /><br />gimbleexpress.blogspot.comAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04835459120811564699noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-14309811579745104202012-05-29T15:55:08.418-04:002012-05-29T15:55:08.418-04:00I'm rather of the opinion that there are no ru...I'm rather of the opinion that there are no rules; there are only things done badly and things done well.<br /><br />Of course, some things are very, very hard to do well, which is how the "rules" were born.<br /><br />But a good story in the hands of a good writer can take just about any liberty.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08504439129670380071noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-88145666864211528332012-03-14T13:54:02.621-04:002012-03-14T13:54:02.621-04:00This is one of the most helpful and direct things ...This is one of the most helpful and direct things I've read about rules/rule-breaking in a long time. It's nice to read the why's and hows, and have general rules feel empowering rather than crippling. <br />Thank you!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-32642093589328913762011-11-28T20:04:24.358-05:002011-11-28T20:04:24.358-05:00I love your take on "the rules," and I a...I love your take on "the rules," and I agree with the Vonnegut's eighth exception for novels. However, I think write what you know needs to be interpreted loosely.jessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16489502078962823639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-68231823868233634552011-07-20T06:37:50.401-04:002011-07-20T06:37:50.401-04:00I find it telling that neither of the two actual w...I find it telling that neither of the two actual writers claimed that "show, don't tell" is a rule...only the literary agent did. "Show, don't tell" is poison. It's a rule for losers with no ideas. It's the reason MFA programs produce carbon copy writers and not real voices. Imagine some editor telling Beckett he needed to "show, not tell"...Roger McNultynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-33982982307329249322010-12-19T19:09:54.204-05:002010-12-19T19:09:54.204-05:00'Use the time of a total stranger in such a wa...'Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that they will not feel the time was wasted.'<br />I like this rule.But all your rules are excellent. Now I don't have any particular book in mind to add here because I experience books and well, forget titles etc. (working on that) As for my writing, well, great rules. Thank you for sharine.Judy Ridgleyhttp://www.judyridgley.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-70689603422832728552010-08-13T09:31:32.043-04:002010-08-13T09:31:32.043-04:00I have been aware of the rules of writing for some...I have been aware of the rules of writing for some time now. And, though I couln't pin point it, something about them always bothered me. Perhaps there's something about having someone say never ever do "this", that makes me want to prove them wrong. So, as you can imagine, reading your post about all the rule breakers was quite a gratifying experience. But, more to the point was that the authors who broke the rules did not do so out of rebellion. They broke the rules to tell a better story, to make their writing work in a more powerful way and to set their novels apart in a literary sense. <br />I thank you for your post and for giving me as a writer a much valued perspective on how I approach my writing.Audry Fryerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01576125527238410629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-84665578352539954702010-05-21T19:17:58.694-04:002010-05-21T19:17:58.694-04:00Thanks for this post--loved it.
The using "s...Thanks for this post--loved it.<br /><br />The using "said" always sticks with me--and using "said"s alone. Talk about a habit that's hard to break, but there is something very pure and satisfying when dialog is pared down. <br /><br />Not letting the reader know everything up front. Hmm, does Fight Club contradict that rule, or would one argue that the protagonist has let us know, we just don't KNOW we know, yet...?Erika Markshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02317984477921035715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-16454431879243555922010-05-03T16:16:01.388-04:002010-05-03T16:16:01.388-04:00@susiej Absolutely. First person especially seems...@susiej Absolutely. First person especially seems so limiting after reading what Dunnett can do with a subtle gesture, a choice of costume, a verbal quip.<br /><br />In general, I don't mind prologues. They can be a great way to establish issues that will haunt the main characters for a while before they are revealed explicitly... Then again, this might just be a bad habit of mine.Max Gladstonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12083700739011581189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-64521590539909555322010-05-03T13:31:43.234-04:002010-05-03T13:31:43.234-04:00you have some great points here, but I am going to...you have some great points here, but I am going to have to bring up the one I disagree with. Prologues. My favorite ones are ones that both feature a character who is not a critical character AND take place deep in the past.<br /><br />I know quite a few other fans of thrillers (as I am) who feel the same way. Are we in a small minority among thriller fans? Maybe, but I haven't seen any evidence to suggest that. I have seen a lot of evidence to suggest that the people who dislike that sort of prologue do not like James Rollins or Clive Cussler or Steve Berry anyway.<br /><br />Which is fine - there are plenty of bestselling authors and genres I don't like, either. But with example after example out there in the genre of authors not only including prologues but including the very things you hear shouldn't be in prologues - and selling very well - I'm frankly a little surprised at how much vitriol I hear from agents and publishers about prologues. For some sub-genres of thrillers, they sell, and I would think that until substantial evidence presented itself to suggest that most of the actual buyers would have liked the books better without prologues, the publishing industry should be encouraging writers in this genre to include them.Edward G. Talbothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07101538926701204083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-62115455086809845892010-04-30T21:56:40.138-04:002010-04-30T21:56:40.138-04:00This is an absolutely fantastic post. I'm not ...This is an absolutely fantastic post. I'm not sure why having the rules put together makes them say so much more than seeing individual lists, but I am in mid-revision and heading to pick up the rules from the printer. And I have my blog subject for tomorrow with a link back to this post. Yay. Two gifts in one. Many thanks!Martina Boonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03358736828122139189noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-7359333629814822542010-04-27T23:02:59.063-04:002010-04-27T23:02:59.063-04:00Thanks for the bringing the rules and exceptions t...Thanks for the bringing the rules and exceptions together so succinctly. I’m sure I am going to refer back to this page in my writers group. I think each member of my group is guilty of a rule break here or there and it is nice to have the reference available.R. Garrett Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10500463578282777835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-4209537653272329212010-04-18T22:23:22.610-04:002010-04-18T22:23:22.610-04:00I've always disagreed about "suddenly.&qu...I've always disagreed about "suddenly." I don't think there's anything wrong with it, if used sparingly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-80180367991396053452010-03-11T09:05:03.996-05:002010-03-11T09:05:03.996-05:00While interesting, the first rule of writing shoul...While interesting, the first rule of writing should be that there are no rules.<br /><br />Adhering to certain written rules only means severe restriction, and a writer should be free to let his or her thoughts flow without any limits.<br /><br />The diversity of rules mentioned in your article, proves my point entirely.David Thyssennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-60879285788026139692010-02-26T10:39:27.662-05:002010-02-26T10:39:27.662-05:00I am writing speculative fiction, so I've stru...I am writing speculative fiction, so I've struggled a lot with how much detail to reveal about the world and when. I took a lot of the explanation out, but ended up having to put some back in because my readers were totally confused. Instead of a prologue, I have a three-sentence Introduction which seems to be doing a good job of putting things in context succinctly before jumping into the action.<br /><br />I really appreciate the advice about pleasing one person. I've had so much feedback from different people, that I feel both I and my novel are both being pulled in too many directions at once. <br /><br />I've decided to take a break from feedback and just write to please MYSELF first. I may end up completely changing the point of view, but the way it is now just isn't working for me. So it's good to have the reassurance to follow my instincts.<br /><br />The rule I would break is the one about describing scenery. I re-read Tolkein all the time because of his lavish descriptions that pull me into Middle Earth. While I'm not writing as much of that as he did, I'm still describing things a little more than many of my plot-oriented friends prefer. But I feel it's important to establish the characters in their environment.<br /><br />The thing is that the descriptions and world-building details that readers skim on the first reading, are the things they linger over the second, fifth, and twelfth time. I want my story to be rich enough to bring readers back over and over.Christine Hhttp://thewritershole.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-69982932472008692102010-02-17T22:07:20.943-05:002010-02-17T22:07:20.943-05:00great post. I am gonna share this about a bit if y...great post. I am gonna share this about a bit if you do not mind.Pamhttp://bookalicio.usnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-8923482915414644072010-02-16T15:16:15.022-05:002010-02-16T15:16:15.022-05:00Seems to me that Fitzgerald broke most of the rule...Seems to me that Fitzgerald broke most of the rules (especially your rules) in <i>The Great Gatsby</i>. We get a lecture about tolerance and reserving judgment, backstory about the narrator (who is somehow not really a main character) and a little weather thrown in just for fun. I guess you have to be a Fitzgerald to break all those rules in the first two pages.Susan Bearmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14991968368214219371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-79642893306581988302010-02-15T15:27:46.038-05:002010-02-15T15:27:46.038-05:00It was great meeting you at the SFWC.
As for bre...It was great meeting you at the SFWC. <br /><br />As for breaking the rules, I'm thinking of Jim Harrison's novellas, which are like Hemingway concentrate. So stripped down and far-reaching is Harrison's prose, his novellas read almost like synopses. But they're beautiful synopses. <br /><br />We're supposed to show and not tell, but Harrison tells, with very little in dialogue or scene. It works because everything fits together in a way that propels the reader forward. And it works because nothing is extraneous -- every line is a poem.Brian Crawfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03447420893553907435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-11074903844112903052010-02-14T19:28:06.567-05:002010-02-14T19:28:06.567-05:00Hi Cameron,
Thanks for providing this on your sit...Hi Cameron,<br /><br />Thanks for providing this on your site. I really enjoyed your presentation the other day at the SFWC and now know that breaking the rules is sometimes worth the risk!Meghanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03375626649089998707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-49291348273707766492010-02-13T18:14:41.370-05:002010-02-13T18:14:41.370-05:00Dorothy Dunnett keeps us guessing about her MCs in...Dorothy Dunnett keeps us guessing about her MCs in House of Niccolo and Chronicles of Lymond. Her readers are constantly surprised and we love it. Makes for great book discussions and rereads. By the end of the series you feel so connected to the characters like your the only one who truly understands them. <br /><br />She is the standard by which I hold all books and I get quite bored with the recent popularity of first person and knowing too much about an MCs inner thoughts.sbjameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06986950185596914217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-89471931062285012352010-02-13T14:44:29.503-05:002010-02-13T14:44:29.503-05:00I typically abhor dreams in books--more so if a bo...I typically abhor dreams in books--more so if a book opens that way. And yet Jeanine Frost's Destined For An Early Grave managed to make a dream opening work.Alex Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12421948724206191688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13842999.post-37483041485442420712010-02-12T15:08:32.149-05:002010-02-12T15:08:32.149-05:00Umberto Eco and Tom Robbins come to mind when I th...Umberto Eco and Tom Robbins come to mind when I think of the rule that "every sentence must advance the plot."<br />They both have a habit of taking sentances and certain ideas for a long walk before moving on with the story. <br />It can be tedious to read, but most of the time it is precisely their ability to dance around with concepts that makes them such great authors. <br /><br />Great to see you back, btw.<br /><br />-Colin HillAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com