What's the Point of Writing Rules?

Summary

In this unscripted video, the speaker discusses the flexibility of writing rules in both fiction and visual art. Due to power outages, they can't reference their notes and decide to explore an impromptu topic inspired by recent conversations. The speaker emphasizes that writing rules are meant to facilitate creativity, not restrict it. They highlight the importance of understanding why rules exist, suggesting that knowing when and how to break them can help achieve specific effects. The video also touches on the speaker's personal journey with their novel and growing interest in visual art.

Takeaways

• 📚 Writing rules are meant to help you, not restrict you.
• 🖼️ Rules in art (visual or written) are there to help you achieve your vision, not to limit your creativity.
• 🎨 Just like in visual art, where proportions can be altered for effect, writing rules can be bent or broken to serve the story.
• 📖 Understanding why a rule exists is crucial before deciding to break it.
• 🖋️ Filtering (e.g., 'she heard', 'he saw') creates distance between the reader and the character, but can be useful if that's the intended effect.
• 🎥 Breaking rules can lead to innovative and compelling work, as seen in some modern films and novels.
• 🧠 Developing a clear vision for your work is essential for knowing when and how to break rules.
• 👥 Wide audience appeal often aligns with well-structured fiction, but some successful works defy this norm.
• 🚀 Subverting expectations can make a story stand out, but it should be done with purpose.
• ✏️ Rules should be flexible tools that adapt to the needs of your story, not rigid constraints.

Q & A

Why was the video unscripted?

The video was unscripted due to power interruptions and the speaker having an inspiration for a different subject.

What is the speaker's usual approach to creating videos?

The speaker usually scripts their videos thoroughly to ensure they convey information clearly and effectively.

What is the main topic of the video?

The main topic is the importance and flexibility of writing rules, and understanding when and why to follow or break them.

Why does the speaker emphasize learning the rules before breaking them?

The speaker emphasizes learning the rules to understand their purpose and how they help achieve specific effects in writing.

What example does the speaker give to explain the concept of 'filtering' in writing?

The speaker explains filtering as using words like 'he smelled' or 'she heard' to describe senses, which can create distance between the reader and the character.

Why might a writer choose to use filtering despite the general rule to avoid it?

A writer might choose to use filtering to create a sense of distance or separation, which can be important for certain effects or character perspectives.

What is the speaker's current personal writing project?

The speaker has been working on a novel for about six to seven years and is currently in the final stages of completing it.

What new interest has the speaker developed recently?

The speaker has developed an increased interest in visual art, including drawing, painting, and learning to use Procreate.

How does the speaker relate the concept of rules in visual art to writing?

The speaker compares the rules in visual art, such as proportions, to writing rules, explaining that both sets of rules are there to help creators achieve their desired effects.

What is the speaker's advice for writers regarding rules?

The speaker advises writers to understand the purpose of the rules and to be flexible with them, using them to facilitate their creative vision rather than seeing them as strict restrictions.