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rajillustration
Mar '21

I'm aware that many of the things I was taught in school to never do in technical or academic writing is OK in novel form. Like using "and" or "but" at the beginning of a sentence. I never took creative writing for more than a week (and as an illustrator I was supposed to illustrate, so my prose never got schooled) and so doing this feels like I'm breaking the law.

Yet, while I like to follow my instinct to sometimes break those rules...I get real guilty about it. I feel like I can see the ghost of my 4th grade teacher in the window by my workspace, just judging the hell out of me.

So my question is--what are some common academic writing rules that maybe don't apply to novels (although they do have merit and a reason to be there) and how do you ignore that inner voice that says "Well now you ruined it." How do you know that your stylistic choices are working vs making an embarrassing mistake?

Cuz for me I think it's partly just experiencing what other people write to help me know if it's OK for myself, but even still...I got that little ghost on my shoulder.

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therosesword
Mar '21

It depends also on your writing style.

I have, when writing non-fiction, a "conversational" style. I used to be a columnist with a couple online magazines and I had someone once say that reading my work was like sitting down and having a conversation with me. I liked that so even with my novel writing I like to take the role (if you want to call it that) more of someone sitting with you and spinning a tall tale over some hot spiced tea next to the fireplace.

Also, writing "rules" change with the times. What was something that would send your teacher into apoplectic fits when you were in school (dangling participle perhaps) now are more... meh.

Abolish the guilt and just concentrate on telling the story in the most engaging way you can. Only the academics will get their knickers in a twist over it. Don't forget, Shakespeare coined a lot of new phrases and even new words, be like Will.

rajillustration
Mar '21

That's so true, sometimes I wonder about the balls Shakespeare must have had to just throw words out there and be like "they'll get it."

Like I wonder if part of it is me not trusting my audience to get it? And I just gotta trust they'll be fine.

marbl
Mar '21

Same experience here! I do think it depends on how you write, but I tend to be laxer with myself when writing fiction. I'd recommend not getting too hung up on the small details and just worry about the actual storytelling aspect.

therosesword
Mar '21
rajillustration

I think we'd have to ask Dr. Who and Martha Jones about that.

LOLOLOLOL

Johnny
Mar '21

I see where you're coming from about grammar rules and how hardwired we were taught that "and" or "but" don't belong in sentences and most of the time I subconsciously follow what was told, but I will say when I write for my books and it's dialogue I never care about the structure of the sentence. Simply because I'm trying to emulate the beauty of my characters and how they act. I'm sure no one thinks about grammar consciously when talking to their friends or strangers!! Hope this helps!

HippieGhost
Mar '21

An important thing to remember about the rules of writing is that "There our know rools". As long as the meaning is coming across and it's not difficult or distracting to read, then you're n good shape. I find sentence flow and immersion to be far more important than anything else is to a story, and I can easily overlook even glaring mistakes if that flow and immersion are present.

bakasama25
Mar '21

I'll let this Pablo Picasso quote speak for itself.

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”

rajillustration
Mar '21

@oranges0da yeah, I think it helps to have a deadline to not get hung up on stuff. Like when I draw I don't really have this problem because there's just no time and I've learned what details aren't worth defining for comics, but with writing I'm like "Or I could rewrite this episode 4 times after I upload it? Yes."

@johnny it's true! When I speak I talk in fragments most of the time, I don't really notice it until I think about it.

@hippieGhost Yeah, that's good advice, to make sure that it's not distracting and then it's probably fine. Because there'll be books I read that are published with miss-spellings (it happens), but if the book is engaging, I won't care.

@bakasama25 I do love a good Picasso, probably my favorite quote that he made.

a.g.meade
Mar '21

@rajillustration - I don't see a problem with starting a sentence with 'and' or 'but' outside of an academic or technical setting. That said, I do think that the aforementioned "gotta know the rules to break 'em" truism is important here. I find that whether something 'works' vs 'is a mistake' often hinges on how well you recognize your own tendencies to follow or break formal rules.

For whatever it's worth, I notice you use a lot of conjunctions in your writing (at least here on the forums), so I think those are part of your natural style. So, using 'and' and 'but' at the beginnings of sentences don't seem like they would be out of place based on the way you already write.

denny_b_reese
Mar '21

I say, write what feels right.

Despite taking four years of university English I am proud to start my sentences with the words "and" or "but".

I have a very relaxed fiction style. Short, slightly repetitive sentences are my thing. And, if the moment is right, I'll add bits of original poetry and lyrics.

Maps
Mar '21

I do this shamelessly. If it flows, it flows.