Not all writing advice is created equal.
That sentence above is a prime example. It's not the perfect construction, but I like it and since my blog is written the way I'd speak if we were face to face, that's how I wrote it.
It's not a big deal, but there are people out there who twitch at sentence structure that's not "perfect" according to the rules. They wag an index finger at the offending writer and tout THE RULES to prove their case.
Rules are great. I won't deny that. We can't have anarchy in the grammar world, after all. But there are times when rules are broken effectively—as long as they're purposeful—and other times when the rules need to be the rules and that's that.
The problem arises when a rule isn't exactly a rule; i.e., when something is thought of as a rule, but is merely tradition—or worse, tradition based on misinterpretation or misapplication.
Can you end a sentence with a preposition? Can you begin one with a conjunction? Can you use contractions in dialogue? What about fragmented sentences? Are you allowed to split infinitives?
Does the passive voice always, always have to be adjusted? No, it doesn't, and there's a passive sentence for you right there. I wanted "passive voice" to be first in the sentence so you'd immediately know what the sentence was about, rather than adjust it to say, "Do you always have to adjust the passive voice?" Sometimes we don't want to wait for the end of the sentence to find out what it's about. What if I fell asleep while typing and only wrote, "Do you always have to adjust the" but when I woke up, didn't remember what I'd been thinking? ADJUST THE WHAT? I get interrupted far too often to remember these things.
Over the next few posts, I'll be looking at rules that aren't really rules. Some of them are worth listening to, and others . . . well, I can guarantee you that some are not the hill(s) you want to die on just to prove your point.
If you have any "rules" you've wondered about (yep, the scare quote kind), let me know and I'll look them up and feature them. I've heard a lot of bad advice out there and would love to help you sort out what's what.
What do you think, people? Got some bad advice you'd like me to debunk? Lets hear it!
I'm looking forward to this series. Avoiding passive voice was hammered into me so hard, in my last book I eliminated every ly word and every was. My critique partners made me put a few back in...
ReplyDeleteOoh, passive voice! That's one I'm definitely covering. So many people are convinced that it's forbidden. I'm glad your critique partners have your best interests at heart, Alex.
DeleteQuite right - we absolutely can't have anarchy in the grammar world! Next thing you know we'll be flinging participles around like confetti. �� I love this, and am really looking forward to reading this series. I tend to write as feels right, but I know there are certain things that still send me scrambling, trying to work out if I've got them right or not - and wondering just how many other rules I'm breaking without being aware of it.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I love me a good anarchy, I have no tolerance for when it's misplaced. It's funny, the writing like best "feels right" but still manages to keep order in its uniqueness. I guess I'm complex.
DeleteOh! There was one. I almost posted about it on ISWG and changed my mind. Oh yes, I think this is it: Thou Shalt Always Write Definitely! I have characters discussing possibilities, maybes, and mights and the editing programs are pitching fits.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of that one! But now I'm going to have to look it up and feature it.
DeleteI've always advocated that one should first learn the rules, so you'll know which rules to break, and why. That's especially true when I write dialog but "since my blog is [also] written the way I'd speak if we were face to face," I often break rules to emphasize. For example, the rule says we should write expressions like "one thing, then another, then another, and then another" (using the "and" only before the last "another," but if I want to give something a different "feel," I might write "one thing and another and another and another!"
ReplyDeleteAnd as far as people saying you should avoid words ending in "ly," I always respond by saying "Really? Seriously?"
Rule-breakers who know the rules are fairly easy to spot, in my opinion, mostly because the writing is tidy in general. I do what you do for effect sometimes, with the "and" thing. It gives a more conversational feel, and that's what my blog is supposed to be about: a conversation between me and my readers. If I were to write formally for a blog, I think even I would be bored.
DeleteThe -ly adverbs get to me. I have worked with a solid number of writers who overuse them in lieu of actual description, so I cut more than I keep when editing. However, I would never say they should be omitted completely! That's just crazy. And I use them a lot here, and in everyday speech, so I am obviously a fan.
Me, too. Of course, if they just make a sentence redundant, I would say delete them. "He whispered quietly." Well, yeah, how else?
DeleteHi Lynda - my grammar (such as it is) comes from somewhere ... but I've no idea about the meaning of the terms - and probably should learn. However I sort of judge that I'm doing ok ... being the rather eclectic curious educative blogger that I am, by the comments I receive. Publication is another matter ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDelete"Comes from somewhere"—hahaha I love that. I like your blog posts and have never thought your grammar lacking in any way. If people thought your writing was bad, you wouldn't have the readers and commenters you do.
DeleteThanks Lynda ... pure fluke - but something obviously went in in those early years! I'd really like to get a very brief course on English grammar with some examples - just 'so I know a bit more' ... cheers Hilary
DeleteTrying to comment - let's see if this one goes through!
ReplyDeleteThe 'rules' I prefer are the ones that make it easy to parse the black marks on the page into thoughts in my brain without me having to stop and re-punctuate properly.
Please, people, use semicolons properly, and stop replacing them with commas to give unintelligible run-on sentences.
It's not that hard! And makes so much more sense if you're going to use complex sentences and complex ideas.
Stop leaving out the comma in "Let's eat Grandma" constructions. It is no longer funny.
Etc.
Looking forward to these posts, because I am probably going to agree with you, and I can use that right now.
I like those rules that are actually rules. It's the guidelines that I worry about, and those who don't know enough to bend them here and there. I'm glad you're back in action and hope you enjoy the upcoming posts!
DeleteThe Grammar Police can be annoying, but they do serve a purpose. Self-editing is essential. If we want an imprint editor or a literary agent to take us seriously, there cannot be errors in the first fifty pages or whatever their requirement is for a sub. I'm doing my first free lance copy editing job for a friend, so I think I'm going to enjoy following and learning from you, Lynda.
ReplyDeleteWelcome here, Karen! I try to never police people who aren't paying me unless they ask for my thoughts. It's the only way I can keep friends, haha.
DeleteFollowing rules (or perceived rules) can be paralyzing for some people, so I hope to shed light on what's airtight and what's negotiable.
Please please do an Adverb one. I am so tired of people chanting the remove the adverb mantra. It is a part of speech and needs to breath and run free (granted not as freely as the adjective, but free nonetheless)
ReplyDeleteI second the "adverb" request! I, too, am tired of people insisting you should avoid them. Just one example: "He tried successfully." "He tried unsuccessfully." I suppose that removing the adverbs wouldn't matter there, huh?!?
DeleteI'm with you fellas. I do remove my share, but only when they are so prolific that there's no actual action being shown. I find a well-placed adverb to be exceedingly satisfying.
DeleteSide note: David, when you say "huh?!?" I picture you belly-bumping an umpire over a bad call.
I've never belly-bumped an umpire or any other male.
DeleteI've paged through books by well-known authors I like and found plenty of examples of passive voice, so it can't be all bad. In the same way that a writer needs to both show and tell to keep the reader interested, a writer needs to mix in some passive voice to keep the text from becoming monotonous.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Ken! I think creativity can quickly become stifled when good advice is taken as THE LAW. Monotonous writing is certainly the result. It reminds me of when people try to write rhyming poetry and manipulate word accents or syllables just to fit the rhythm, but without the flow and sense to it.
DeleteI haven't time to read all the comments, but starting sentences with "and" and "but". They get used for impact but aren't grammatically correct. Thoughts?
ReplyDeleteThat's one of the things I'm going to cover, actually: things that aren't technically correct grammatically but can be used for effect. It really trips people up.
DeleteOooh that's my kinda series! Can't wait to soak it all up. Even if you and I have gone through most of these during "vent time" lol.
ReplyDeleteThere's something to be said for having things in proper form, but there's also a beauty in creativity and realistic-ness. Like the way you talk to us in your blog posts. I always stand by the thought of learning the rules so you can break them . . . only if needed, of course.
I know I'm an "offender" of starting sentences with conjunctions . . . but that's how I talk . . . and sometimes it creates great effect and tempo. I'll go to my favorite one I've asked you (which I'm sure you have on your list), but parenthesis in fiction, sup wid dat? :P
I think you've heard every vent I've ever had (right down to walking slowly behind families with kids in public places, lol), so you could probably write my posts for me at this point. In your sleep.
DeleteI like the way you phrase this: "there's also a beauty in creativity and realistic-ness." I do think there are places where rule-breaking is almost essential to being understood in the way we wish to be.
I think starting with conjunctions is perfectly fine, because it's closer to conversation and realism. But I'll be covering that, too.
As for parentheses . . . ughhhh. They're more of a peeve than anything, but maybe I'll figure out why people want to use them and I'll write about it again.