: Re: Is "How to" killing creative writing? There is nothing particularity creative about following a set of instructions on how to write a novel. It is perhaps even less 'creative' to base styles

"How to", rules and guidelines do not kill anything.

Think of rules as paths in the countryside. You can get off the path and forge your own way through the field, but it's harder and you may not get to the destination you intended (which can make you feel anxious and fearful). If you are very knowledgeable of the area (including its paths), it's more likely you can get off the path and not only get to your destination, but also enjoy the journey.

Having said that, I'll mention the Nobel prize winner Saramago. He wrote a novel that is studied in Portuguese schools and where he subverts the rules of punctuation for a genious effect. I remember some of us claimed to follow his 'rules' and our teacher telling us you can only ignore the rules once you fully understand them. And we did have to follow them if we wanted our work marked.

Our teacher also gave us writing assignments with (sometimes) crazy limitations. Those limitations forced us to think outside the box and come up with creative stories.

But back to the question: there are two types of rules (or 'how to').

The first refers to grammar and language in general. If you know these rules truly well, then you also know when they can be bent or broken. And you know exactly why and for what effect.

The second refers to putting a narrative together. The same applies: if you truly know how the 'grammar' of narrative works, you know when not to follow it.

To have freedom to do whatever a writer desires may feel like space for 100% creativity, but it is probably not. What really makes one come up with creative ideas are problems and limitations.

And since there's a bit of ranting in your question, I'll allow my own ranting: historical fiction. Oh, a writer must have freedom to tweak around historical facts in order to produce a good story. The way I see it, a writer that resorts to that excuse is lacking in the creativity to work with the facts and find a way to produce a good story.

Load Full (0)

: You should develop those long-lived characters as you would any other. Think about people that come to be in their 80s or 90s. Some are wiser and more patient than younger ones. Some are

@Rivera824

Load Full 0 Comments

: What would be a good way of electronically organizing my aphorisms? I have been writing aphorisms for the most part of my life. Up to now, I noted them down in (real-life, paper) notebooks.

@Rivera824

Load Full 3 Comments

: How do I find a co-author while protecting my rights? Iâ€™ve compiled material for a book about the economic system for laypeople who consider economics to be a difficult and boring subject.

@Rivera824

Load Full 1 Comments

: Should I make my prologue chapter 1? My prologue is set 17 years before the main story arc. I am reflecting on the discussion here, which was asked by another SE contributor. I'm trying to

: Re: Is "How to" killing creative writing? There is nothing particularity creative about following a set of instructions on how to write a novel. It is perhaps even less 'creative' to base styles

More posts by @Rivera824

: You should develop those long-lived characters as you would any other. Think about people that come to be in their 80s or 90s. Some are wiser and more patient than younger ones. Some are

: What would be a good way of electronically organizing my aphorisms? I have been writing aphorisms for the most part of my life. Up to now, I noted them down in (real-life, paper) notebooks.

: How do I find a co-author while protecting my rights? Iâ€™ve compiled material for a book about the economic system for laypeople who consider economics to be a difficult and boring subject.

: Should I make my prologue chapter 1? My prologue is set 17 years before the main story arc. I am reflecting on the discussion here, which was asked by another SE contributor. I'm trying to

Login to post a comment!

0 Comments

Back to top