Topic: On Writing
Chapter Written By: Xanaphia00
Level: Basic
Related genre(s): all

There is only one hard and fast rule when it comes to writing: anything is allowed, so long as it works.

Now, does this mean that everything works in writing? Nope! How can a writer know if a technique worked? Well, this is subjective, but the best metric is whether or not the meaning is conveyed. If readers aren't coming to the meaning the author intends, then the technique didn't work.

The sad truth is well written and engaging are not always one and the same. Some critically celebrated novels have incorrect grammar (Cormac McCarthy's No Country for Old Men, James Joyce's Ulysses, William Faulkner's Sound and Fury). Some extremely popular novels are beloved by fans, even though they have technical and structural errors in the narrative.

Once you understand how and why the rules work, you can use them to your advantage, to craft the story that is buzzing around your head. And you can even learn when to break them.

Everything in this book should be taken as a suggestion. There is no one right way to write. If you are willing to listen to advice and experiment with new techniques, you will grow as a writer.