- Writing Rules Gone Rogue
- Rogue Rule #1: “Show, don’t tell.”
- Rogue Rule #2: “Write every day.”
- Rogue Rule #3: “Write what you know.”
- Rogue Rule #4: “Writers must read.”
- Rogue Rule #5: “Avoid adverbs.”
- “Break” The Rules! (Exercises)
- Discussion (questions, comments, etc.)
“Show, don’t tell!” “Write what you know!” “Avoid adverbs!”
You’ve probably heard these and other writing “rules” recited repeatedly. If you’re sick of hearing them — or if you’re not even sure exactly what they mean — it’s enough to drive you crazy. You might even be tempted to do an exasperated facepalm (facepaw?!) like that cat in the photo.
In this module we look at five common pieces of writing advice, things repeated so often they’ve become clichés.
As with many clichés, there is some truth to them, but they can also be confusing, misdirected, or incomplete — and that’s why I call them rules gone rogue.
Let’s examine a few of these adages to figure out what they really mean. We will wrangle these rogues into submission — and make them work for us!
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