Hello everyone! Welcome to Writer’s Quote Wednesday hosted by Colleen Chesebro from Silver Threading. Please visit her fabulous blog and check out her interesting posts.
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“There are three rules for writing a novel.
Unfortunately no one knows what they are.”
~W. Somerset Maugham
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If you’re a fan of the HBO series Game of Thrones then you may also be a fan of the author whose books the series is based on, George R. R. Martin. Whenever I talk about the rules of writing I tend to think of several popular writers, George R. R. Martin being prominent in my mind. He’s broken so many ‘rules’ I’ve lost count. But yet, he is genius in the choosing of which rules to break, and his timing is impeccable. His writing is unique and fascinating because he takes many risks. The HBO series is as captivating as his books because he is also one of the screenwriters of the show.
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What makes your writing different from that of other writers? Do you take risks when it comes to your writing?
The Writer Next Door | Vashti Q 
Hi Vashti.
It’s been a while since I last paid you a visit so I thought I would drop by and see what you have been up to.
I don’t know if I take risks. I’m a no one too. I don’t know what the three rules are.
I’ve been wondering if you were going to share a short story with your fans anytime soon. 🙂
Best wishes, Darlene
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Hi Darlene! It’s great to hear from you again. I am working on a couple of short story ideas. I will post one soon. Thanks for asking. 😀 xx
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I guess each writer might have his or her own rules but… If we all had the same reading would be so boring… Thanks Vashti! I hope everything is going well…
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Hi Olga! All is well. Thanks for asking my sweet friend. ❤ You're right we're all individuals and that alone can make our writing unique. But I'm talking about pushing boundaries to make your story enthralling. 😉 I want to be able to do that.
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I killed a main character once, but it was a temporary condition.
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That’s very interesting. When something like that happens it makes you fly through the book to find out what happens, but it is a risky move if not done right. 😉
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I like the way it worked out, but I was sorely tempted to leave the guy dead.
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Sometimes you have to go with what your gut tells you. I’m glad it worked out.
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I am writing my first novel and I am pretty cautious, yet. I think when I write the next one, I will feel a bit more liberated and experimental. The first time is always the hardest. The 3 rules for writing are: Write, writing, writer. ❤
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Hi Colleen! I can relate to how you’re feeling about your first novel because I felt the same way. Although I’m proud of my first book, it really doesn’t compare to the books and stories I’ve written afterward. I’ve definitely taken more risks with my Fantasy Angels Series. I think the 3 rules of writing are: 1-Read, read, read. 2-Write, write, write. 3-Edit, edit, edit. Ha, ha! 😉 xx
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Ha, Ha, Vashti! I like your rules. I am learning as I go, taking my time, and asking for help. I think that is important too. ❤
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I agree. I knew nothing about the writing, publishing or marketing business when I began (I still have a lot to learn) and I wasn’t too proud to ask for help. Thanks to that I’ve improved a great deal in every aspect of writing. Writers should help one another. The more we elevate the industry with good, quality writers the more rewarding our careers as writers.
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I agree. I thinking helping each other is the key. You have to learn from some where. ❤
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Exactly. Wise words, as usual, Colleen. 😀 xx
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I’ve always enjoyed the quote. There’s so much truth in it too. I think as a writer, we should never be afraid to take risks, to stretch our boundaries and, to a certain extent, follow our own rules 😀
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I agree. I think all the best writers think this way. 😀
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I am a writer but not serious enough to give it much thought between posts. Probably not much of a risk taker, though not even sure what that means to me. Perhaps this winter I will give more thought to what my writing means to me and consider if there is more to it than just sharing my island life–too busy now to focus on it. I do enjoy it so very much but really fell into blogging with no plan in mind…I like doing that!
I like your questions and how they have made me think. Could there be more to this for me? I want to share something and please give me your thoughts if you don’t mind…someone from O’brien Press contacted me a few months back and said he liked my blog. If I was interested in writing a book then contact him with a proposal. I asked what was he interested in, as I am a bit all over the place with my posts. His reply was, ‘you tell me what your book is about.’ Maybe I should give it more consideration as I did nothing about.
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Hi Melissa! Congratulations on being approached! I’m not familiar with O’brien Press but having anyone in the business approach you means you definitely have something to offer. You never thought about writing a book? It never occurred to me, or better put, I never thought about the fact that there are many types of writers out there and some may not be interested in writing books. You should think carefully about how far you’d like to go with your writing ability. Have you ever written a short story? What genres do you enjoy reading? Watching? What type of book you write does have to come from you. I think it’s best when you write about things you’re passionate about because that passion and enthusiasm will come through in your work. Do some research on this ‘O’brien Press’ and see what they’re all about. Also, think about whether or not you’re interested in writing a book and if so, what kind of book are you interested in writing. 🙂
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Wow, loads to think about. I read mostly non fiction and I write non fiction. I have written short stories. And yes, have given a bit of thought to writing a book, but don’t feel passionate about it at this moment in time–you know what I mean, like it is in my immediate destiny. i think ‘who is my audience?’ and get stumped there. It would have been nice had Mr. O’Brien told me what appealed to him!
Btw, I have an acquaintance who is a food author and she is published through O.P. She mentioned me to him via a conversation about fermenting vegetables and he visited my blog, then emailed me. That is how the connection was made.
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When you feel inspired to write don’t think about who your audience would be or about what’s selling out there or anything else but your writing. You can think about all of that once your writing is done. 😉 Good luck with your future writing.
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So happy to hear you say that. It was advice given to me by someone and when I couldn’t answer it-well I was just halted. Honestly, my gut felt it should not be a priority. Thanks for your time with this Vashti. Enjoy the weekend. Melissa Xx
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I’m so glad. It’s always a pleasure chatting with you. You have a great weekend too! ❤ xx
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OMG! I love this quote. I can’t stop laughing — because it’s so true. Great-big-hug! 😀
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I’m glad the quote tickled you. It is very true. I’ve read so many books and the best writers seem to have rules of their own. 😉
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Vashti,
I think we’d all like to push the boundaries and have it come off as awesome.
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True, but I think many writers are afraid to do so.
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Taking risks is what makes a story or movie interesting and unique. In every aspect of life it is the risk takers that open up new roads for everyone else … Without taking risks we stagnate 😀
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Hi Yolanda! I couldn’t have said it better. It’s true, without taking risks we do become stagnate. I love that! 😉 xx
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