Hi Daffodil
I disagree about the Prologue DON'T. If used correctly, the Prologue tells about something that is disconnected in time or space or even reality from the first chapter. It also can set the mood of the book if used correctly.
My .02 cents.
posted by ffiore
over 2 years ago
I've read books like that too Daf. Are these new rules??
I liked the feaux pas in SPELING. lol
I think you're pulling our leg Daf.LOL
NOT make your main character an animal?? What about all those books that have bee written about animals??
Black Beauty-Lassie-Lady and the Tramp? Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Lady and the Champ?? LOL
Bewildered warm blooded creatures throughout this global warming age are wondering how in God Almighty's universes can anyone give this advise and be taken seriously?
Brevity, my friend, is the key.
Never,- ever repeat a structure of any kind that any writer ever used in the history of mankind .
Why waste time, breath and space on screen or paper with all that Don't Crap?
As someone who is also writing a book for authors, I disagree with a lot of his advice. If we took all of it without question, we would not have a book, much less hold the interest of our first proofreader.
I think the first "don't " about the weather came about because of all of the jokes about "It was a dark and stormy night."
I would find a first line exciting if a book began: Zigzag bolts of blue-white lightning crackled across the dark sky,
If the story starts with a hurricane or a blizzard, I'd want to keep on reading.
I do agree not to start with a cliche or to address the reader.
Helper Words? I'm not sure what he means.
Exclamation points are needed sometimes in my books. Sometimes my characters exclaim!
This is what I have heard from other "advisors,"
The exclamation marks should not be used too often or in a memoir where the author is the narrator.
I suspect that the author of the blog is advising us regarding a college essay or a business letter.
The only thing we are advised to do, as opposed to not do, is tho spell and punctuate correctly.
I agree with ffiore about the prologue. Sometimes a prologue can take the place of a "hook" or a "grabber."
There are some books about animals that must have one as the main character.
Some I agree with (somewhat) but with most I am in disagreement
DO NOT START A STORY WITH WEATHER
Some of the best selling science fiction begins with weather - the blue sun etc.
DO NOT START A STORY WITH CHARACTER DESCRIPTION
Depends on how it is handled
DO NOT START A STORY BY ADDRESSING THE READER
Basically agree - ruins fiction.
DO NOT START A STORY WITH PREMONITION
Hey, it's a hook
DO NOT START A STORY WITH THE PROTAG WAKING UP
Where he is waking up and in what condition could be of interest.
DO NOT START A STORY WITH CLICHES
Unless it is something good - yeah
DO NOT START A STORY WITH SETTING DESCRIPTION (if it went something like this)
"Moronville, Ohio, a town of 8371 people founded in 1872 by Quakers was the last place Rob Taylor expected to meet an alien." Okay it is a stretch but I disagree.
DO NOT START A STORY WITH TELLING
Some may be necessary
DO NOT START A STORY WITH ANY DESCRIPTION
Bright red blood dripped from the still spinning overhead fan. (Is that a description)
DO NOT USE HELPER WORDS
If they help, why not?
DO NOT START A STORY WITH A PROLOGUE
What better way to start a story? There was a story several years ago about star crossed lovers who had all kinds of problems. It would not have made sense without the prologue which explained the "gods" were bored and decided to play with this couple's lives.
DO NOT USE EXCLAMATION POINTS!
I am exclaiming!
DO NOT USE THE SAME WORD TWICE IN THE SAME PARAGRAPH
Agree with this one - but for major words, not conjunctions, etc.
GRAMMAR AND SPELING SHOULD BE PREFECT
The rules of grammar are changing. Spelling should be perfect (unless you are writing dialect).
DO NOT MAKE YOUR MAIN CHARACTER AN ANIMAL
I give you Dumbo the Elephant, Horton, The Cat in the Hat.
Sorry I just could not resist. Hate rules like these.
Good points, Sah. The rules are changing and it's about time. There were far too many rules anyway. It seems to me that most of the "advisors" are copying Mr Strunk's or Mr White's rules. I think they both were writng for college essays and dull literary works.
Your addition to the first line of the setting "don't" was " the last place Rob Taylor expected to meet an alien." That is a grabber if I ever read one! Forgive the exclamation point, but I felt a need for it. LOL
Honestly? A prologue is a "don't"?
I agree with most. But Johnathan Living Seagull would never have been written if these rules were followed.
I'll use exclamation points when my character speaks 'em, though. Sparingly, they give the effect one sometimes needs.
Otherwise. they seem valuable rules.
DO NOT ...WEATHER and SETTING DESCRIPTION and DESCRIPTION (any): (First Sentence of Stowe's UNCLE TOM'S CABIN) "Late in the afternoon of a chilly day in February, two gentlemen were sitting alone over their wine, in a well-furnished dining parlor, in the town of P---, in Kentucky."
DO NOT ...SAME WORD TWICE IN THE SAME PARAGRAPH: (First Sentence, First Paragraph of Michener's HAWAII) "Millions Upon Millions of years ago... "
So glad you chose this discussion, Daffodil. Helpful to clarify and after opening three books.
~Sharlet
posted by Sharle
over 2 years ago
