Know the rules. So you can break them!

[zora_mc]

We've all probably heard them: the people who say "Learn the rules." and the people who say "In writing there are no rules." Well, guess what. They are both right. Yes, both. And I know this all sounds like a contradiction, bit it's not. It's a paradox. It sounds like a contradiction, but it's true.However, there is a simpler way to explain this

Comments

[achluomania]

Good topic =D I often break the rules of grammar and other things to make things seem more realistic as well. Seriously, no one ever uses correct grammar when speaking :]

[zora_mc]

I know what you mean. Dialogue hardly follows the rules. In fact, I say dialogue has it's own separate rules that are defined by the way the character speaks.

[achluomania]

Exactly, which means it's also applied to the character's thought process and, well, tons of other things. X3

[brooke_butler]

I think that grammar rules are important in some cases. I mean, we were given a sample essay to read in class and they started lots of sentences with "and." Which is a habit I get into in fiction. But in an essay discussing a poem? It just didn't work. The rules are important because they're how our language works, if you ignore them, then you're slowly breaking down the beauty that is the language. But break some of them, for style reasons?

Duh.

[brooke_butler]

Also- LOVE the Hunger Games. Can't wait for the third one!

[zora_mc]

Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say. You can't always break the rules, and obviously there are some rules in fiction that you can't break in certain places. The use of "and" to start a sentence is one thing that I like to avoid while writing formal essays as well, but I use it a lot during my fiction. Well, not a lot, but sometimes when it feels right.

[zora_mc]

Oh and I can't wait for the third book either. Only three more weeks to go!