Comments on: Break All the Rules https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/ A Blog On Writing Sun, 02 Feb 2025 07:11:06 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 By: Judith Cranswick https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69294 Wed, 31 Dec 2014 16:56:11 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69294 Putting together my ideas ready to start writing 'Blood on the Wall' my fourth Fiona Mason Mystery tomorrow, I was reminded of your post and the so-called Golden Rule I ALWAYS break! Contrary to all the advice, I never plot my novels.
My one-off psychological suspense novels always begin with a scene and once I've discovered how my character reacts the story begins to develop. By about chapter four, I might have some idea of where I want to end up but making the journey is the fun part. I write to find out. I'd be bored silly if I knew what was coming. With my Mysteries, I do know my main characters and once I've found my setting (Fiona is a tour manager for a coach company so each book takes place in a different country) I need to find a plot idea relevant to the country (ie diamond smuggling in Amsterdam in 'Blood on the Bulb Fields' and shenanigans in the wine industry form the background to 'Blood in the Wine' set in the Rhine Valley) but that's about it.
Okay, so I do need to do a great deal of rewriting. I know many of the greats - P D James and Jeffrey Deaver whom I admire immensely, to name but two - plot in fantastic detail, but I'm sure there are more of us out there who choose this method than the plotters.

]]> By: Irene Preston (@IrenePreston) https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69165 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 21:27:23 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69165 That start to The Burning Sky is what made me rush out and buy it. Beautiful telling.

]]> By: susanajennings https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69096 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 10:19:36 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69096 As a debut novelist and short story writer, I struggle with the rules, and found your comments very useful. I like your comment Kristy K James about two rule and I would add a third, rules and comments are important but always listen to your own inner writing voice the positive one that knows what is right for your story. We all have one but all too often we allow the 'other' voices to override. I have found myself pondering rules and suggestions to the point of losing the story.

]]> By: Sherry Thomas https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69087 Tue, 30 Dec 2014 02:23:19 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69087 Thank you for all the wonderful comments, everyone. Here's to doing whatever is best for your stories in 2015!

]]> By: Fae Rowen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69078 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:55:49 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69078 In reply to Kristy K. James...Where Romance and Fantasy Collide.

I need to borrow Laura's cheerleader outfit for my response, Kristy! Yeah!

]]> By: Fae Rowen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69075 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:53:36 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69075 In reply to ericjbaker.

Boldly said, Eric. Now that's clear, expressive writing!

]]> By: Fae Rowen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69072 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:51:41 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69072 In reply to Patricia Yager Delagrange.

Aye, aye, Patricia!

]]> By: Fae Rowen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69069 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:50:39 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69069 In reply to sheerhubris.

Nice addition, sheer hubris. Particularly in longer scenes, it's helpful to see two points of view about the action, dilemma, or emotions.

]]> By: Fae Rowen https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69066 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:47:57 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69066 In reply to Faith @ Demon for Details.

"Biblical-level commandments"--I love it, Faith. I think a lot of editors have lost out-of-the-box creativity by sticking to their "commandments"!

]]> By: Kristy K. James...Where Romance and Fantasy Collide https://writersinthestormblog.com/2014/12/break-all-the-rules/#comment-69063 Mon, 29 Dec 2014 23:47:24 +0000 https://writersinthestormblog.com/?p=16923#comment-69063 I only follow two rules when writing: (1) to write the story that's floating around in my head, and (2) to write it to the best of my ability. I'll do whatever I have to to get to the end. I'll tell, I'll show. My characters will whisper, scream, shout, and mutter if need be. I'll use a prologue, epilogue, or start sentences with 'and' if it fits the scene.

And it works.

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