tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post8144724012738510908..comments2024-03-20T08:27:29.290+11:00Comments on .W.I.P. It: Style vs FormulaLynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-23161258511459918582011-10-13T08:53:17.322+11:002011-10-13T08:53:17.322+11:00L.A Speedwing, oops, almost didn't see your co...L.A Speedwing, oops, almost didn't see your comment there. Thanks so much for the offer!<br /><br />Cynthia, yes exactly right!Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-5853281324328685392011-10-13T00:24:15.062+11:002011-10-13T00:24:15.062+11:00I think the key is know the rules inside and out. ...I think the key is know the rules inside and out. Once they are ingrained, breaking them becomes more of a strategic move.Cynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-19955404722847645822011-10-11T10:12:32.771+11:002011-10-11T10:12:32.771+11:00Jenna, it definitely depends on the story.
Trisha...Jenna, it definitely depends on the story.<br /><br />Trisha, it's a good way to look at it.<br /><br />Will, exactly right. It's so important to learn the rules first.<br /><br />Nas, thanks<br /><br />Carol, I dunno, I've seen you break some rules with flair ;)<br /><br />Colby, yes. It's no good if you blindly break the rules out of ignorance. The best way to use a tool is to understand its uses.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-47102106546385966822011-10-11T10:08:34.068+11:002011-10-11T10:08:34.068+11:00Maeve, I hope I am picked. It hasn't happened....Maeve, I hope I am picked. It hasn't happened...YET.<br /><br />Rachna, thank you so much for your kind offer. I appreciate it. <br /><br />Susan, ha! Well said. I totally agree.<br /><br />Mark, absolutely<br /><br />Tonja, the rules that improve your story are the ones that you need to keep. It's a fine line.<br /><br />Stacy, oh really? eek. I haven't been picked yet, so while I'm free I'll try and do some catch ups.<br /><br />Golden, it is sometimes hard to tell. Thank goodness for revisions!<br /><br />Mary, China is unique, I think. And thanks HEAPS for the offer.<br /><br />Melodie, that's a great example.<br /><br />Angela, yes, exactly! Use the rules (or don't use them) to our advantage.<br /><br />Donna, yep, when you're that famous you can pretty much do anything ;)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-71370448481491739012011-10-11T10:00:06.537+11:002011-10-11T10:00:06.537+11:00Caitlin, yes, both structure and rules are importa...Caitlin, yes, both structure and rules are important, but it's often the story that dictates how they are used.<br /><br />Theresa, absolutely. We need to learn the rules first.<br /><br />Mohamed, yes, there are a few stand-outs that break the rules. <br /><br />Joanne, ha! I haven't been picked yet but that's what I'm hoping too--it's all great research and experience.<br /><br />Deana, yes, exactly.<br /><br />Bethany, ha, well said. Thank you so much for your offer! Hugely appreciated. <br /><br />Jamie, I agree with that also. That's why it's important to know the rules first.<br /><br />Deborah, you rebel you ;)<br /><br />Melissa, very true, but I think if it's done well enough, the story will still shine through. But that's the key--it has to be done with skill.<br /><br />Laila, so true.<br /><br />Laura, that's the key isn't it: Knowing HOW to break them.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-34417239705861802872011-10-11T09:22:52.621+11:002011-10-11T09:22:52.621+11:00You can send me your short story if you like. I...You can send me your short story if you like. I'm a lambda reader but I'll give it shot. Thanks for joining my blog and commenting it. ;-)L.A Speedwinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07734240100355616049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-76425795956220719542011-10-11T06:30:36.373+11:002011-10-11T06:30:36.373+11:00I think it's okay to break the rules sometimes...I think it's okay to break the rules sometimes, as long as you follow most of them. IE, I think it's a bad idea to blatantly strike out all the rules because you "can." If it's something you feel passionately about though, like a character some might think is cliche but is true to your vision, I say keep it.colbymarshallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14056535503422186623noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-7790738182979734432011-10-11T01:21:12.574+11:002011-10-11T01:21:12.574+11:00Ugh, good luck with the jury duty! And I always fi...Ugh, good luck with the jury duty! And I always find it interesting to see writers who break the rules, especially since I try to adhere to them, myself. Most of them, anyway...Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-55564400574933752562011-10-10T13:29:45.938+11:002011-10-10T13:29:45.938+11:00Great post! All the best with your jury duties!Great post! All the best with your jury duties!Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-38061488060501259522011-10-10T11:58:01.506+11:002011-10-10T11:58:01.506+11:00I've heard that you need to know the rules bef...I've heard that you need to know the rules before you can break them. Occasional disregard can be artful, but wanton rule-breaking will make one look like a rookie.Will Burkehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10158149526658590324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-29153020007531463642011-10-10T11:34:21.735+11:002011-10-10T11:34:21.735+11:00I think those guidelines are trying to get at the ...I think those guidelines are trying to get at the general idea: do you need it? is it swamping the story? If not, get rid of it. That's how I see it anyway.Trishahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16927558937796802496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-39589624388065915162011-10-10T10:12:22.304+11:002011-10-10T10:12:22.304+11:00I agree with what most of the others said -- it...I agree with what most of the others said -- it's good to have guidelines, but they don't always have to be stuck to. I think it depends on the story and style and so on.Jenna Blake Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12348472716158899465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-9128851334458855022011-10-10T04:10:27.471+11:002011-10-10T04:10:27.471+11:00James Patterson and Stephen King definitely break ...James Patterson and Stephen King definitely break the rules, but they are famous and it's their great style that I love.<br /><br /><br /><br />Soul Mate Publishing Launch Party October 12th. Visit my blog: http://donna-realworldwriting.blogspot.com to sign up for the Blog Hop and party!!Donna Shieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04607270459657152401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-10273877588096953732011-10-08T15:30:20.250+11:002011-10-08T15:30:20.250+11:00I think this is why honing or writer's intuiti...I think this is why honing or writer's intuition is so important.<br /><br />All the knowledge and rules can be crippling. We have to be able to sift what we hear, and shift it out when we need to!<br /><br />Angela @ The Bookshelf MuseAngela Ackermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01808259088625142389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-21930056931943759462011-10-08T13:43:13.224+11:002011-10-08T13:43:13.224+11:00Oh, jury duty. I was once picked for the pool but ...Oh, jury duty. I was once picked for the pool but didn't serve. Always wanted to, tho, voyeur that I am. :)<br />When mystery writer PD James started out, she broke the mold with crime fiction. Now her intellectural character approach IS the norm.Melodie Wrighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04599091593083976703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-29853836446004453952011-10-08T09:18:05.754+11:002011-10-08T09:18:05.754+11:00Thanks for the shoutout. I'd be happy to criti...Thanks for the shoutout. I'd be happy to critique your sci-fi.<br /><br />Yes, about the rules. They can squish our voices into nonexistence. I've been enjoying China Meiville for several weeks. His meandering is fun.M Paxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14096697282530998519noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-54415768062534457422011-10-08T07:33:54.387+11:002011-10-08T07:33:54.387+11:00I agree with you. Breaking the rules can work--tho...I agree with you. Breaking the rules can work--though it's hard to tell what will and what won't.<br /><br />Good luck with jury duty!Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-77564367181205480682011-10-08T06:01:12.964+11:002011-10-08T06:01:12.964+11:00I think rules are great, but when broken properly ...I think rules are great, but when broken properly it's WOW. Good luck on jury duty. The last time I served on federal jury duty in the US, I barely touched the internet due to the judge's warning. Might be a good time to unplug.Stacy S. Jensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09646270238659432058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-56281854091619239492011-10-08T04:31:35.683+11:002011-10-08T04:31:35.683+11:00If rules and formulas keep you from writing your s...If rules and formulas keep you from writing your story, then they aren't the rules you need to follow. I think you have to follow your muse, write honestly, and keep writing. I can't make myself read stories that are formulaic, but I LOVE Tolkien and Vonnegut.Tonjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08652479946102909276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-59336745485108562672011-10-08T02:37:45.636+11:002011-10-08T02:37:45.636+11:00I think it's important to know the rules...tha...I think it's important to know the rules...that way you can properly break them:)Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-79431211174538766032011-10-08T01:29:58.545+11:002011-10-08T01:29:58.545+11:00My favorite "rule" about breaking the ru...My favorite "rule" about breaking the rules is this: only break them if they make your job as a writer more difficult, not easier. Then you can safely assume you're doing it for the right reason!Susan Kaye Quinnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07348197999397141067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-85015628635985491772011-10-08T01:14:23.358+11:002011-10-08T01:14:23.358+11:00Rule breaking is a punishable offense ;)
For write...Rule breaking is a punishable offense ;)<br />For writers its very important to know why we are breaking certain rules, if there are strong reasons and the story is gripping, then the readers are in a forgiving mood.<br /><br />Lynda..though I am no expert where science fiction is concerned, you will just get a fresh pair of eyes looking at it. Feel free to email me the story if you are comfortable.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-42150753129200815172011-10-07T22:24:06.827+11:002011-10-07T22:24:06.827+11:00Good luck on jury duty. I find them exciting (may...Good luck on jury duty. I find them exciting (maybe that's because I work as a paralegal during the day) or maybe because you can get some great writing information there just by people watching alone. Great post!Maeve Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00788413883600771145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-31606974640861457172011-10-07T21:46:10.833+11:002011-10-07T21:46:10.833+11:00I think the rules are for beginner writers. But th...I think the rules are for beginner writers. But the best writers do break the rules. They start with telling but it's great telling full of voice. We just need to know how to break them!Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-87271645886683251592011-10-07T21:37:35.265+11:002011-10-07T21:37:35.265+11:00This is a great post and exactly what I needed to ...This is a great post and exactly what I needed to hear. Someone suggested and info dump in my novel and it just isn't happening. I think modern writing has shifted to promote the action in a story and inserting plot as you move alone is more exciting than boring my readers. Anyway, every writer has their own unique style. :)Laila Knighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08430076999393883312noreply@blogger.com