On a casual stroll through a bookstore my eye caught Robert’s Rules of Writing. Because of it’s play on Robert’s Rules of Order. I took the book from the shelf and flipped it over, mostly interested to see what angle this author took on the over-published topic of how to break into writing.
I bought the book because of the blurbs of sample rules on the back cover: "Burn your journal," "Spend time gossiping," and "Buy the smoking jacket." These were certainly not only unorthodox, but in direct conflict to the standard rules printed in every other guide I had read.
Robert Masello reveals his humor and innovative approach right out of the gate when he writes in the preface:
Some of these rules, let me warn you, are provocative, controversial, and counterintuitive. You may even want to duke it out with me over some of them (and that's okay, since you don’t know where I live.)
That's not to say his rules are just idiotic contradictions. He backs them up with substantial logic. I found them, for the most part, to be insightful and in some cases very helpful. Let's take a closer look at just the three aforementioned topics.
Burn your journal. Masello found this rule so important he made it the first in the book, even though common wisdom will tell you in order to improve, you must write daily. In his explanation he does encourage daily writing. He also suggests that scribbling daily muses into a journal is not working on your craft. He goes on to say:
Writing in a journal is a stall, a waiting game, a way to tell yourself that you’re working when you’re not.
While I understand what Masello is suggesting, I personally believe journaling is a good thing, as long as it is not being used as a distraction from the task at hand. Sorting through your own feelings and events can spark ideas for fiction. Knowing how many fiction authors draw from personal experience, I have to believe I'm not the only one to find journaling a helpful tool.
Instead of "burning the journal," I would suggest that the rule should be, don't use your journal as a crutch or a distraction.
Article comments
1 - Mark Sahm
If Masello had an online version of "burn your journal", then 90% of bloggers are wasting their time!
I agree with you though that if you have aspirations for larger texts, don't use your journal (or your blog) as a clutch.
2 - Connie Phillips
As I said, a lot of the rules are not hard and fast. Many people use their blog as a forum for serious writing, thus it would be the furthest thing from a crutch.
I also imagine there are just as many who use their blog as a way to write without really writing.
It depends what you want out of it, I suppose.
3 - Loretta
I loved "Writer Tells All." It was hilarious.
I'll have to look for this Masello book. He does have good advice.
I never wrote anything really worth reading until I forced myself to publish it for people to read.
If you use your blog as a forum for your work, you improve your writing.
4 - Connie Phillips
Loretta,
I agree about forcing yourself to lok at your writing.
I think you will enjoy this book.
A lot of his rules are not hard and fast, but hold an element of truth well worth applying.