Fight Club
Remember the movie (and book) Fight Club? The first rule of Fight Club is you don't talk about the Fight Club.
Well, I think the first rule of writing is there are no rules. Look at The Sound the the Fury. Remember Benjy? My God, but how the heck do you get through his narrative? You do, of course. And the end result is worth it--the novel is challenging and brilliant. But breaks rules as we probably think of them as far as narrative and chronology.
On the other hand, say you want to be published and you're NOT Faulkner. Well, you probably want to follow a few rules. To that end, I am always amazed when I am asked to critique a 200-000-word novel. Happened three years ago. It was, as I recall a mystery about a sailor in the Keys. And the person who asked me to critique it expressed deep SHOCK bordering on an anaphylactic reaction that word count was something he might want to think about if he intended to send it to an agent as a mystery/thriller.
I have had people tell me "that's what editors are for" when their plots fall down halfway through the book or their manuscript is rough to the point of needing a massive copyedit.
So maybe the first lesson of writing--if you want to be published--is do your homework. I am not a joiner, but if you read the NY Times article I linked to yesterday, they gave credit to the RWA for being an organization that does a lot of market research, that helps its writers. Other groups do, too. Writers' groups, blogs, books . . . the information is out there if you want it.
So, if this is Fight Club . . . or Write Club . . . what's the first rule, in your opinion?
Well, I think the first rule of writing is there are no rules. Look at The Sound the the Fury. Remember Benjy? My God, but how the heck do you get through his narrative? You do, of course. And the end result is worth it--the novel is challenging and brilliant. But breaks rules as we probably think of them as far as narrative and chronology.
On the other hand, say you want to be published and you're NOT Faulkner. Well, you probably want to follow a few rules. To that end, I am always amazed when I am asked to critique a 200-000-word novel. Happened three years ago. It was, as I recall a mystery about a sailor in the Keys. And the person who asked me to critique it expressed deep SHOCK bordering on an anaphylactic reaction that word count was something he might want to think about if he intended to send it to an agent as a mystery/thriller.
I have had people tell me "that's what editors are for" when their plots fall down halfway through the book or their manuscript is rough to the point of needing a massive copyedit.
So maybe the first lesson of writing--if you want to be published--is do your homework. I am not a joiner, but if you read the NY Times article I linked to yesterday, they gave credit to the RWA for being an organization that does a lot of market research, that helps its writers. Other groups do, too. Writers' groups, blogs, books . . . the information is out there if you want it.
So, if this is Fight Club . . . or Write Club . . . what's the first rule, in your opinion?
Labels: Faulkner, Fight Club, writing rules
posted by Erica Orloff at 1:34 PM
15 Comments:
The first rule is 'do the work'. If you don't write it, you can't be in the club.
For the record, I can't stand Faulkner. I have yet to read anything of his I liked, even remotely. I have almost completed a Masters in English and American Literature. I have read a lot and read widely in classic and contemporary literature... and I just do not like Faulkner.
Gimme 'The Roofer' any day of the week.
ewoh:
Well . . . thanks for the high praise. Faulkner, to me, is very challenging, and I definitely didn't appreciate him until a literature class with a professor who was considered a Faulkner/Southern gothic expert. I definitely grew to appreciate him, and found myself moved by the story. But he isn't an author I pick up for "fun." In general, I am a Neil Gaiman fan, Margaret Atwood, a few others.
And I love your first rule. True, true, true! I was once asked to speak to a writers' group. After my little speech, people shared their writing. Imagine my amazement when two of the most vicious critics, it turned out, NEVER wrote a word. They attended this writers' group, and talked of this "work" they had--but never shared it, according the other group members. Look, you gotta do the work. Anyone can SAY they have a great book idea. Butt in chair . . . complete it (or at least WORK on it) . . . then we'll talk. ;-)
E
It's kinda the same as ewoh's and yours. Except, I'd say to approach writing as one would training in any sport or art: methodically, as a practice, and wisely, as a study.
And the mental game is just as important in writing, too, as it is in sports.
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I vaguely remember wading through Faulkner's bloated sentences as a college student. He was (along with James Joyce) more of a genius than I could handle. Like my protag says, "give me James Patterson and a six-pack and I'm set for the evening." Or Hemingway. Or The Roofer. ;)
Actually, I think The Roofer is a masterpiece that deserves far more attention than it has gotten.
I'm not much of a joiner either, but I definitely want to belong to Write Club. I think Ewoh's rule #1 is spot on. Rule #2? How about never giving up on getting published? I know it's not everyone's goal, but I think it applies to most. Even with all the pitfalls and the insane nature of the business, it's my goal and one I plan to see to fruition. Long as it takes.
spy:
A very zen approach!
E
jude:
I think if that's your goal, then yes, never giving up on that is a great rule. Persistence and more persistence.
Hone your craft . . . always be a student of the written word is my other rule.
Yes, honage. We might have to move that up to #1, actually.
Jude:
Actually, isn't the first rule of the Write Club that you don't talk about the Write Club? LOL!
E
My lips are sealed. Wouldn't want The Roofer to pay me a visit. ;)
Ahhhhhhhhhhh...
As I see it, Erica's 'Writers Club' has the following rules - in order of suggestion:
Rule #1 - if you don't write you can't be in the club
Rule #2 - you must hone your craft
Rule #3 - never give up, never surrender
Rule #4 - never write about the clu... dammit.
ewoh:
Careful. That #4 is a b*tch. :-)
E
Suck it up, and don't take things personal. It's a business.
Amie:
Suck it up. New rule #5. :-)
You write very well.
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