In honor of Black Friday: How to break my own rules
I follow rules. I buy a ticket for a movie and see that movie. I don’t see another or sneak into a second. I drive the speed limit. Or at least the acceptable 5 miles per hour over the speed limit. I arrive on time. I stand in first check-out line only if I have fewer than 15 items.
I don’t blindly follow. Nor do I follow without questioning. But there are some things that make sense to me and I don’t have the need to buck authority or go in the opposite direction simply because there are rules. I also realize that like everything else in live, rules can and do change.
It’s probably why, once encouraged on to write fiction by my former teacher (now friend and part-time employer), I took to it with reckless abandon. Woo hoo! No rules at all! Look at me! It’s like riding a bicycle with no hands! Sure, the rules of spelling and grammar and structure still applied, but there were no truths in content except the truths I wrote. I was making shit up. I was the one who could not make-up a bedtime story for my kids. No ‘you can’t’ or ‘you better not’s’ or ‘you’ll get a ticket’ or ‘you’re going to fall and break your neck.’ When you make the rules it’s clear that they are meant to be broken, if you want. And that has made me question the random rules surrounding writing – the “you must do this” or “the best way is that.”
Is there one way to write a great book? Absolutely not. Some people like writing books or writing exercises. I did well with those during a stretch of writing classes I took which enabled me to push my own limits and sharpen skills and learn new techniques. And I believe that I had great teachers and was a good student. I’ve been able to integrate those things into my own world, my own writing.
I’ll follow rules when it comes to writing. My own. When I’m ready for the dreaded query stage I’ll be all over each agents rules like brown on rice. It’s knowing when you have to follow rules…and when you really don’t.
That is why I have brand new writing books with uncracked spines piled up on my old desk. It’s not that I’m better than the books – I’m not. It’s not that the books aren’t good – they are. I’m just not using them. This also goes along with my belief that books are the gift to give this year. Now I know that giving away my books doesn’t help the publishing industry but it does promote books.
Books should not sit on a shelf unused and unread. These books are all worthy of scrawling and scribbling and highlighting and sticky notes and dog-ears. The thought of wasting a book — ever — but especially in this economy — is overwhelming. I would rather spend a few cents to mail it to someone who would use it, than have it sit accumulating dust. (I’m not opposed to re-gifting this holiday season…a topic I wrote about recently. You can read it in mid-late December.)
And though words are priceless, the words in these books are cheap.
So in honor of Black Friday, and this crazy holiday shopping weekend, just leave a comment on which book you’d like, whether you would use it yourself or give it away (there’s that re-gifting again). Nope, you don’t have to stand in line or wait your turn or pay a nickel. But, if you’re a writer, tell me what you write if I don’t already know. You have until Sunday at 11:59pm Central Time. On Monday morning as I drink my coffee, winners for each book will be randomly chosen by my official rule-following randomizer. (Probably the dogs) I’ll be fair, I promise, remember…I like following my own rules. Oh, and of course, if you’re related to me, you can’t win. And if you’re a troll or a pest or anonymous you can’t win either.
Remember, my rules.
And just so you know, blog giveaways tend to annoy me. Ok, not tend to. They do annoy me. I find many bloggers will give away anything to bring about blog traffic and I hate that. Often giveaways are offered without relevant content or purpose. I do not have a high opinion of those blogs or bloggers. I don’t make money from this blog so you can click a million times and I don’t get a cent. What do I get? Knowing the books will be well-used. And if I meet another writer in the process, well, that’s the penny in my shoe.
But frankly, the unused books annoy me more than blog give-aways, hence, breaking my own rule.
And hell, anytime I can use the word “hence,” I jump on it.
1. Writing the Breakout Novel plus Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook
2. Write Your Novel in 30 Days
3. The Well-Fed Writer: Back for Seconds
Oh, and if you can use the word “hence” in your comment, I’ll count your entry twice!
I am not a writer, except for my blog; ;hence, I shall be giving my winnings to a friend who is a writer!
I teach creative writing to adults. I would love the opportunity to pass the information in the books onto even more eager-to-learn writers!
I meant to say, I teach creative writing to adults….HENCE I’d love to spread the wealth so to speak!
Hmmm . . . I’ll take Door #3. Since I have a Demon Baby and barely enough time to shower, let alone read, I will gift it to one of my writer pals. Hence, I will be spreading some joy this season.
Peace,
E
I already have number one (and LOVED it); hence options two or three are fine with me.
No. 1 sounds great. I’ve always secretly wanted to write a novel. (and now I’ve outed myself)
I don’t hold giveaways just to boost my hit count because I don’t run ads on my blogsite, HENCE, I am a like you in that regard. However, when I get a try a product for free and I like it, I am delighted to be able to pass a similar product along to my readers. (HENCE, my Nerf Rocket Pass giveaway.)
I’d love to win a copy of the Well-Fed Writer.
I would love to win the Well-Fed Writer. I currently write my blog and non-fiction; and I am also a book shepherd.
We have many similar thought patterns and beliefs. Scary. I do sometimes have little contests on my blog, not to draw readers, but because I like the friends who normally troll my place. I’m a writer and would love #3. #1 looks interesting too. I pretty much already did #2 (the book title) LOL. Won’t even lie and say if I’m selected by Spot that I’m giving the prize away. Is that enough “hints” fer ya? (“hints” = “hence,” right?) *snort*
I have contests now and then, but mostly to get rid of books. I haven’t been able to track down my last winner, now that you mention it. I’ve read and loved all of the above, except for #3. Hence, I’ll put my ticket in the third raffle.
The Well-Fed Writer sounds pretty good. I write fiction: short stories, novels, and sometimes (horror of horrors!) horror.
I’m a long-time writer for business and ghostwriting, but just getting around to fiction and personal essays. And despite the fact that I seem to be collecting books on writing, I haven’t read any of these titles, hence I would be happy to win any of them. Thanks, and happy black Friday.
Amy, You crack me up, girlfriend. Hence, this post. I already have too many books on writing piled up on my shelves that I haven’t read, or read parts of, hence I don’t really “need” any more. (Although, my copy editor might beg to differ!) Hence, I’ll leave the actual give-away to more qualified recipients. However, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to exercise my “hence” muscle, hence this annoying response. Post-Thanksgiving Cheers! Debbie
Have you noticed hence is one of those words that starts to sound funny if you say it enough?
I have my own site, Tech Savvy Mama, and am the Being Savvy Washington DC City Editor. My Tech Savvy Mama site is simply a labor of love and a service to other parents but my writing has served as my portfolio that has landed me paid writing gigs (Being Savvy DC).
That being said, I’d love to win a copy of The Well Fed Writer since I have no idea what I am doing in terms of marketing myself as a writer!
Thanks for the giveaway!
Hm, I’m pretty sure one of the rules of writing is to break some rules! So we’re following the rules while we’re not
Hence we read and thus we learned perchance to glean some knowledge earned. A lovely idea Amy.
I also dream of writing novels, hence I’m commenting here and henceforth I will read your site regularly to learn of your progress! Best wishes, Jessica
There are two signed copies of Well Fed Writer: BFS on Amazon, each priced at $145. I’m stunned. I don’t remember it being that good.
I sha’n't use or read or re-gift any of these books, so don’t include me in your giveaway. BUT I will say that there’s nothing wrong with re-gifting, as long as it is something that the person might actually want and enjoy, not something that no one would ever want. A re-gifted book is a beautiful thing.
I went back for seconds on a heaping plate of hence breast, hence stuffing and hence hash this holiday trying to be a well-fed writer. If I win a copy of The Well-Fed Writer I promise to read it twice.
I’m starving. Please allow me the privilege of the Well Fed writer. I’ve got my blog, as you well know, but am totally stuck on how to make the most of it. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.