Know the Rules Before You Forego the Rules

I've still got a lot to learn about storytelling. I can hear the collective gasps.

No, it's true.

(I know you're not really shocked.)

I know to cut the "ly" words.
Get rid of superfluous words, incuding "that".
Show don't tell.
Don't overdo the dialect.
Don't use names too close in sound or spelling.
No head hopping.
Keep flashbacks to a minimum.
Don't use italics for emphasis.
No cliches.
etc.
etc.
etc.


When my work is critiqued, the "ly" words are cut, the flashbacks are highlighted, when I tell--I'm told. My critters know the rules too. The real trick, is to know the rules so well, you know when you can break them.

Like most writers, I read a lot. I read for pleasure and I read to learn from others.

I've noticed now that I'm so used to editing others work, I can't stop myself from editing as I read.

No book have I read that I didn't catch something that, at least in my opinion, would be better off not having been included.

I mentioned I'm reading a King novel right now. I'm studying his techniques. Some of them anyway.

The book I'm reading is Insomnia. The man's an incredible storyteller.

A quarter of the way through the book, something stopped me cold.
Dull, hot blood pounded his cheeks.
I don't have the book in front of me but that's pretty close to a direct quote.
Blood is hot, yes. Dull? No.

I folded over the page to have another example to prove my point today, and continued reading. Guess what?
Very next page, another reference to that "dull, hot blood" this time it was pouding his temples, I think.

Hmm.

Now, I guess Mr. King's editor caught that and said, "Stephen, take another look." And King said, "I like it. It stays."

He's Stephen King, he can do that.

You and I cannot have dull blood. Our blood can pound dully, if it must, but it cannot be dull.

But, some rules can be broken. Should be broken, once in awhile.

First, you must know the rules inside and out. Then you can decide on a case by case basis when to forego them.

Not a book I've ever read, that I can think of, doesn't have some "ly" words. Once in awhile "perfectly" is the perfect word.

Since I know the "ly" rule, I look at each one and decide if it is absolutely necessary.

Telling is bad: usually. But, sometimes it is just right to get to point A from point B without boring the reader to tears.

I've read a manuscript where the writer refused to break any rule ever.
SNORE.
Dry as shredded wheat.

Sometimes, rules need to be broken.

Head hopping is a cardinal sin in writing. Tell that to Peretti. The man does it and tells an awesome story besides.

Learn the rules of writing inside and out, so you'll know when to ignore another writer's or editor's advice to cut or change something.

You'll be ready. When they put the line through that word you italicized for emphasis, you'll already have looked at it, and painstakingly judged that the work is clearer and better with it in there.

The rules of writing are rules for a reason. Many of the times the rules have been broken in a published book, the work would have been stronger had they not been. So, always, always, take a careful look when you're ignoring a writing rule.

Once you're as popular as Stephen King, you can change the natural properties of blood.

Though, I wish you wouldn't.