tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post2189730835240014400..comments2023-11-18T03:15:19.102-06:00Comments on Straight From Hel: Writers, Don’t Let Rules Box You InHelen Gingerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-35796607351862674552013-02-22T15:42:31.650-06:002013-02-22T15:42:31.650-06:00I really, really hate heels. They make my back hur...I really, really hate heels. They make my back hurt. My "heels" are now only about an inch tall.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-73791080985138550592013-02-22T08:19:25.584-06:002013-02-22T08:19:25.584-06:00I think back to the jobs I had in the 70s where I ...I think back to the jobs I had in the 70s where I wore heels every day and I wonder how I did it and got my work done as well.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499059171631792224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-61755447097366769132013-02-21T08:42:28.650-06:002013-02-21T08:42:28.650-06:00I wear dresses when I have to, but prefer to wear ...I wear dresses when I have to, but prefer to wear jeans. And I admit, I haven't worn hose in years.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-72565544830738327542013-02-19T22:57:38.863-06:002013-02-19T22:57:38.863-06:00I'm totally with Carolyn on the wearing the dr...I'm totally with Carolyn on the wearing the dress thing. Other rules are probably optional. <br /><br />Melanie Shermanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01385073936714563295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-18052964172136741502013-02-19T19:35:22.848-06:002013-02-19T19:35:22.848-06:00I don't mind the dress. It's the heels and...I don't mind the dress. It's the heels and panty hose that I avoid.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-77972137184681693502013-02-19T19:34:13.620-06:002013-02-19T19:34:13.620-06:00That's a good rule, Karen.That's a good rule, Karen.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-14273530250974737132013-02-19T15:22:18.232-06:002013-02-19T15:22:18.232-06:00LOL - and those of us who know you are grateful fo...LOL - and those of us who know you are grateful for that.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499059171631792224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-55541696450907025522013-02-19T15:10:01.305-06:002013-02-19T15:10:01.305-06:00I follow all rules that don't get in the way o...I follow all rules that don't get in the way of the story I want to tell.<br /><br />I too avoid places that require I wear a dress.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07734132604985179594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-36042349621089170682013-02-19T14:13:08.841-06:002013-02-19T14:13:08.841-06:00I think breaking rules can go either way - sometim...I think breaking rules can go either way - sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't and gets in the way of the story. Story - and characters - are what it's all about.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499059171631792224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-463425155373230822013-02-19T13:53:19.754-06:002013-02-19T13:53:19.754-06:00One thing I'd like to say about rules in writi...One thing I'd like to say about rules in writing - the successful writers seem to be the ones who ignore them. How often is a book feted to the general puzzlement of all writers? Think on that. I've spent years worrying about rules so of course some are ingrained. But I'm trying to force myself to forget them now, to forge ahead. the story's the thing.Vonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07092475086889028716noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-49245596835238242552013-02-19T11:45:27.672-06:002013-02-19T11:45:27.672-06:00The first time I visited a juice bar, I was offere...The first time I visited a juice bar, I was offered a shot of wheat grass. It smelled like grass clippings from my lawn mower. Smiling, I quickly shook my head and said, "Sorry, I don't drink green." And I've adhered to that rule ever since. <br /><br />Rules in writing? Don't describe the whole house if your characters are never going to get past the front parlor. Karen Gilbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13324639608982927394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-36963647544179740882013-02-19T11:30:33.430-06:002013-02-19T11:30:33.430-06:00And you spend the other half of the time getting t...And you spend the other half of the time getting the silent treatment - which, now that I think about it, you probably enjoy.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499059171631792224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-226962751686130172013-02-19T11:07:57.783-06:002013-02-19T11:07:57.783-06:00Two quotes about rules that I love. The first is f...Two quotes about rules that I love. The first is from the 14th Dalai Lama (an old drinking buddy) who said: “Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.”<br /><br />The second is from the British Writer Alan Bennett from Getting On. He said: <br />“We started off trying to set up a small anarchist community, but people wouldn't obey the rules.” <br /><br />Around our house we only have one rule. Carolyn's right. I obey it almost half the time. <br /><br /><br /> Deadly Duo, Duh Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15279307709534348681noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-81663910677235766302013-02-19T10:57:24.218-06:002013-02-19T10:57:24.218-06:00I also try to write every day but sometimes, if it...I also try to write every day but sometimes, if it's starting to seem laborious or I feel myself getting lazy, I make a rule that I CAN'T write for a set number of days. But the time that period is up, I'm back at the keyboard, my mind brimming with ideas.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499059171631792224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-48076181319288946032013-02-19T10:34:48.388-06:002013-02-19T10:34:48.388-06:00That's a good rule. I always try to do somethi...That's a good rule. I always try to do something writing related everyday. It might be re-reading what I did before and editing as I read.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-48578075789669478912013-02-19T10:08:36.263-06:002013-02-19T10:08:36.263-06:00 I am a scrupulously courteous driver. It really b... I am a scrupulously courteous driver. It really bothers me that Oregon drivers will not let people pass them, however slow they are driving in the left hand lane. Also, I always drive at least five miles over the speed limit. As far as clothing, I never wear skirts or high heels. In writing, the rule I try to follow but often break is to write every day.marymeredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00914983720487012966noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-53374364097972061872013-02-19T09:31:41.637-06:002013-02-19T09:31:41.637-06:00Alex, if you can't write at home and pad the w...Alex, if you can't write at home and pad the walls, then your safety rule makes sense.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499059171631792224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-30172236149295465852013-02-19T09:26:06.034-06:002013-02-19T09:26:06.034-06:00My main writing rule is to not drive a car or walk...My main writing rule is to not drive a car or walk on a busy street after writing. Seriously, I was still so immersed in a scene once that after I left my office and headed to my parking garage I was almost hit by a bus! My brain is in such a fog after writing that it takes a while to engage with the real world and function safely. My rule is like the warning on a pain killer bottle, "Do not drive or operate heavy machinery after writing!"Alex Paulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04691768634142743429noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-37819202442045558592013-02-19T09:00:23.418-06:002013-02-19T09:00:23.418-06:00Laura, you're definitely a rule breaker, which...Laura, you're definitely a rule breaker, which means you write great books.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-14765724163637672362013-02-19T08:59:06.952-06:002013-02-19T08:59:06.952-06:00Good to know someone else has characters talking i...Good to know someone else has characters talking in his head.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-18911871362952727552013-02-19T08:58:23.084-06:002013-02-19T08:58:23.084-06:00I still do the dishes. If I didn't, I'd fo...I still do the dishes. If I didn't, I'd forget about them and they'd be dried by morning and harder to clean. What I tend to forget to do is take out the trash on the right days. Like today.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-81668324210883678442013-02-19T08:56:32.327-06:002013-02-19T08:56:32.327-06:00Agents want that breakout book. It's almost as...Agents want that breakout book. It's almost as if you have two choices: follow the how-to-write-a-bestseller guideline, or write something so unique that it sells.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-78535823411888878302013-02-19T08:54:21.501-06:002013-02-19T08:54:21.501-06:00I'm the same. I hadn't thought of it as a ...I'm the same. I hadn't thought of it as a rule, but I always get the dishes washed and put away before bed.Helen Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09794759602654727110noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-32018026735629235742013-02-19T08:50:37.554-06:002013-02-19T08:50:37.554-06:00Yep. No dresses. LOL! I think it's important t...Yep. No dresses. LOL! I think it's important to stretch your creativity in writing...which usually means breaking the rules. Some of them are intent on churning out cookie-cutter books.Laura Enohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09982794146667832204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32918125.post-73596912499775353952013-02-19T08:08:32.527-06:002013-02-19T08:08:32.527-06:00Stephen, I know what you mean. But I don't adm...Stephen, I know what you mean. But I don't admit that to a lot of people - especially if those people aren't writers.Carolyn J. Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02499059171631792224noreply@blogger.com