Rules - Schmules - Recognizing Problems by Ginger Simpson

Every publisher has their own rules, and remembering which applies where is harder than writing a book.  After releasing over a dozen novels, novellas and stories, I've decided there is no way you can adhere to every guideline.  One must pick and choose what makes sense for your writing style.  For example, one house strictly forbid the use of 'ly' words.  I try to avoid using many of them, but sometimes you need to use one to modify your verb and make it stronger when you can't find one that exemplifies your meaning.  Another house disapproved of "ing" words.  Well, I' prefer them over using constant "he/she" beginnings and ending up with a manuscript that reads like Dick and Jane, the book that taught reading.  I hate 'stilted' writing, and when you follow every rule you think you know, that's exactly what you end up with.

So, I'm listing here, the rules I absolutely try to follow because they make the most sense to me.

1  RUE = Resist the Urge to Explain.  If you tell the reader something in the first paragraph, there is no reason to repeat it again.  Reader's are smart and can figure out things if you've written good descriptions.  Example:  He clapped the baseball against his glove several times, then spit on the mound.  Cocking his arm, he zeroed in on the 'strike' zone and prepared to throw.  "Prepared to throw" is not needed.  You've already shown the reader he has cocked his arm and aimed...I doubt anyone will think he's going to knit a sweater.  *lol*  Adhering to the RUE rule also keeps you from being redundant.

2.  Useless beginnings.  What pray tell, you ask, are they?  POV is extremely important in writing.  The reader needs to know who is talking, thinking, seeing, hearing, etc., and if you are expert at POV, then there is no need to say things like "She watched him," "He felt" or words that also apply to the RUE rule.  Start your sentences with what actually is happening and don't narrate for the reader when they don't need it.

3.  SHOW versus TELL.  This is one of the most important rules in writing.  Utilizing your best showing techniques differentiates between telling a story and writing a novel.  Showing moves the reader into the story, puts them in the character's shoes and lets them experience all the sights, smells, sounds, and most importantly emotions.  Which would you think is better?  
1.  Her stomach felt upset. (hint: telling)
2.  Her stomach churned.  She swallowed the taste of bitter bile. (hint: showing)

I'm working very hard to remind myself that when I give the reader a ton of facts to set up the scene, I'm telling.  It's so much better if you  pepper the information into dialogue between your characters.

4.  Use your Thesaurus.  There is no need to repeat the same word over and over in the same paragraph.  One, it shows a lack of word knowledge, and two, your writing becomes predicable.  Here's an exaggerated example:  He looked at his wristwatch.  The bruises on his knuckles had finally turned a  pale yellow, but were healing.  His watch showed it was almost time for his appointment.  Thank goodness he'd remembered to wear his watch.  He'd only just replaced his pocket watch with the watch on his wrist.  Time to get with the times, he'd thought.  

Better:  Bob fished in his pocket then remembered he'd finally given in to modern times and switched to a wristwatch. Checking the time, he noted the bruises on his knuckles had turned a healing yellow.  Not wanting to be late, he grabbed his jacket and....

5.  DON'T start sentences with 'it.'  This is a big bone of contention for me.  I absolutely detest this word and try to use a solid noun rather than this particular pronoun.  To me, "it' is the most confusing word an author can use.  Most instances raise the question, "what is IT?"  Example:  If you're reading along and stumble on a statement such as, "It felt strange," isn't the first question in your mind...what felt strange?  If you absolutely must use "it" make sure you've clued the reader in on what "it" is.  

There are others I try to follow, but these are some of the things I find most annoying as a reader and try to avoid when I write.  I hope you find this post helpful....and feel free to share your "dislikes" in the comments.  It always helps an author to know what pitfalls to avoid.

When is Enough Enough by Ginger Simpson

How many times have you picked up a book you are enjoying, but wondered, "God, when is this going to end?"  I don't care how many trees are on the property, it doesn't matter to me if the pond is bubbling in the back yard if it doesn't involve the character and further the story in some manner.

One of the reasons I've been turned off by some mainstream books is that they go on and on and on, giving you useless information and being repetitive.  This my dear friends is because most major publishers have "word requirements" and you must meet that magic number to be considered for publication.  I've always sucked at writing to word reqs because when my character says I'm done, I'm done.  Luckily, I've found small press, most who encourage you to write from the heart, and give you leeway to create stories of various lengths.  You know you've done something right when the worst review you get is, "It was too short."

  My blog partner here has done some awesome work in my absence, most of them dealing with common problems we all encounter as readers and authors.  If you haven't read them all, I encourage you to take a trip backwards and enjoy her shared knowledge.

Anyhow, the real reason for this post is to encourage other authors to be smart.  There is a niche for each of us in this ever-growing ocean, but just like I've always told my kids...take a few minutes and think about what might go wrong.  If something comes to mind, then plan a different approach.  Usually what you think will go wrong, will.

I believe e-publishing has flourished because of the popularity of the Kindle, Nook, and other readers which make downloading possible at a lower cost.  I also think the reputation of e-published authors has suffered because of so many first time authors self-publish without learning the most common pitfalls most of us know.  I've been writing for almost a dozen years now, at least seriously, and I still learn things from every editing session or every chapter critique I submit to my group.  To jump into publication without a clue, hurts all of us.  I encourage new authors who are writing their debut novels to take an extra month and find a good critique group of people who've learned the ropes.  Don't rely on your relatives for feedback, because most of the time, they don't know anything more about writing rules than you do.

It's funny, I was a reader long before I became an author, and I thought I would really know how to write my own novel.  I was in for a great big shock because although I read hundreds of books, I didn't realize why some were more entertaining and kept me turning pages more so than others did.  I had no idea how head-hopping, POV, cause before affect, and overuse of tags could draw me out of the story...in fact, I didn't even know what most of the terms meant.  I'm happy to say, each book I write, at least in my opinion, is better than the last because writing is continuous journey of learning.  So, don't start out thinking you have everything mapped and ready for success.  If you suck, people will notice.  Sadly, they then won't want to try other e-published books because of one bad apple.  Don't be that apple!

Why oh Why...

That's the question I ask whenever I learn a new writing rule, and believe me, the woods are fraught with them.  In case you don't know what "fraught" means: Filled with or destined to result in (something undesirable).  In this case, the undesirable is my obsession to notice each and every instance in anything I read, or fear I'll use the wrong word or phrase in my writing.

First, I learned "that" I used too may instances of "that" in my writing.  I've improved and discovered if you read back what you've written and omit "that" and the sentence still makes sense, you probably didn't need to add the word.  Of course, now I notice "that" in every book I read, and realize "that" there are still a lot of authors who haven't been clued in.  "Just" is another offender. It's a great word, but editors hate it.  How many times have I received back a first draft with each instance highlighted.  So, I "just" try to avoid using it now.  *grin*

"To phrases" bug the heck out of me.  Editors constantly pound into our brain the need to keep the story in the present and active.  "To do" something indicates intention, i.e., he reached out "to touch" her hair.  If the story is active and happening in the moment, how about "he touched" her hair.  Unless her head is dangling at his fingertips, the reader figures out the hero has "to reach", and removing that and showing what happens, makes more sense to me.  Of course, I notice that most English authors love "to phrases."  They aren't a personal favorite for me, but if the story is good then I'm able "to overlook" them.  I normally would have said "I overlook" them, but in this case I am showing intent.  *lol* RUE= Resist The Urge to Explain is another good rule.  Don't treat readers like idiots.  They don't need a lot of redundancy in facts to drive home a point. 

The latest and greatest new rule for me makes the most sense of all.  I'm sure people skim past "that" and could give a crap about "to do" phrases, but since having someone point how many times we use "she heard, she felt, she saw, she listened," in each scene, I had no idea how much I'm detracting the reader when I include information not needed.  If I have established the character's POV clearly, then the reader is safe in assuming that "she" is the person involved in all the feelings, seeing, hearing, etc..  I've also been pummeled by my publisher recently for using too many "she" starts to my sentences.  This helps eliminate them.  I offer as example:



Evan brushed his lips across her throat.  She heard herself moan.  She felt her body warm under his ministrations and ached her body forward.  She listened to his heavy breathing and knew he wanted her in the worst way.  (OKay...so it's a crummy example, but let me show you a better way.)

Evan brushed his lips across her throat.  A moan escaped her, and her body warmed beneath the fingers creeping along her ribcage.  His heavy breathing and the hardness jabbing into her hip showed his desire.  She arched toward him, wanting him just as much...

Whatta you want from me in two minutes?  *lol*  I think you get my drift.  Next time you read a story, mark how many times the author tells the reader who is thinking, feeling, sighing, moaning...  This is news that needs to spread.  Establish whose POV  the reader is in and let you writing lead the way.  Easy, smeasy, lemon squeezy.  *lol*

I'm sure I'll be back before long with more new "rules."  The longer I write, the more they crop up."

Oh, did I mention "it."  I also try to avoid starting any sentences or using "it" when "it" isn't clear to the reader what "it" is.  Okay, that's confusing.  I can't count how many times I've been reading something...sometimes my own work, and discover a sentence something like:  She wasn't sure she liked it. 

I generally pause and have to go back and re-read to discover what it is she perhaps doesn't like.  A lot of times, I can't figure it out.  So, instead of using "it" as much, I try to find different phrases to clue in the reader.  Example to change:  Tim thrummed his fingers along the back of the couch.  She hated it when he did that.

New example:  Tim thrummed his fingers along the back of the couch.  His nervous habit annoyed her...

This might not have been the best example, but just remember, if you use "it", make sure you've clarified what "it" is.

Ta ta!