A Writer's Code of Law(s)

A Writer’s Code of Laws


1)
Note: Number one is very important to me, and as such, should be to all of you as well but how you go about it, is entirely up to each individual.

Never betray the trust of family of friends for the sake of a juicy story or poem.

What I mean by this statement is, people who generally hold you in high regard or at least feel comfortable enough to share personal details; secrets, outlooks on life, their family, etc., it’s not recommended to use one’s personal information against them without their knowledge. Remember, you are their friend or blood; it’s not wise to betray so great as a gift as trust.

Besides, it’ll make you feel sleazy later on.

2)
It’s OK to ramble on like an incoherent ding-a-ling.

3)
You must have access to a dictionary and thesaurus at all times.

4)
Let your mind wander. Do not suppress the thought process.

5)
It’s perfectly acceptable about wanting to stab things. So long as you’re not literally walking around Grand Central Station or a Mall armed with a fixed blade (I’m an exception. * coughs *), you’ll survive.

6)
What is said to you, stays with you.

Kind of goes back to Number One.

7)
Accept disappointment.

8 )
Accept emotions when writing or not.

9)
It is not wise to learn detachment. Submerse yourself in the atmosphere. If it bothers you, then it will effect the reader.

10)
Make sure to bombard at least three people a day with your work.

11)
Teach to the best of your ability by passing on your failures to someone else. After all, we learn more from failure than success. Do not skimp out and become lazy. We are the future generations; do not forget.

12)
If, by some chance, you wish to use a personal detail that was entrusted for you to keep in a story, etc., write it first, 1 let them read the work for themselves2, explain the reasoning why you’ve chosen to bring forth their secrets 3, and lastly, ask permission if you might be able to make the document public. 4


1 Normally, I would suggest asking permission first but then there’s that “whole confrontation thing.” So long, as you have not made the writing public, as in, not sharing it with anyone else but the person you are expressing personal information from to base your document on.

2 It’s important that once you’ve written the document, you share it with this person and let them read it for themselves. It might not be a bad idea to give them a “head’s up” even before they begin, ‘pending of course on the subject. To reiterate, it’s imperative that you let them read what you’ve created. By this method, you’re still acknowledging the trust factor given to you, and thus the person will understand.

3 Depending on the subject and what “secrets” that were entrusted within you to maintain and the relationship with said friend or family member, there might be some confliction. BE PREPARED. However, if you followed Rule Number One, than there shouldn’t be much conflict because you’ve still maintained the “trust factor.”

There are many solutions of how to go about the reasoning. My suggestion, from personal experience, is do not use the excuse, “Well, I am a writer of course.” That is just rude and blatant disregard of respect. By that statement, you are essentially saying, “I’m a writer so I’ll do whatever I please.” Not good. Instead, be honest with them. Tell them you were inspired to write such a profound piece of work. It is true, is it not? That’s why we all write, yes? We were inspired to do so by some level. In my position, it’s usually me confronting a friend. My solution is I tell them openly that I didn’t want to forget and then further explain that words are much more powerful and when written correctly; the story becomes alive.

“I was inspired to write this piece from what you told me. I guess I just felt moved and so I hope you don’t mind. If it bothers you though, I will erase the document. I just couldn’t get [it] out of my head.”

Yes. You must also be willing to commit to erasing your hard earned work if they request it to be demolished.


4 In the likely event they’ve granted permission (Yippee!), after you’ve asked, of course, it’s probably wise to change names or even places to respect privacy. Unless of course, the person doesn’t give a rat’s arse.



And there you have it folks; my Twelve Commandments; my laws before ever beginning a story. As you might have noticed, I put quite a bit of emphasis on privacy but as I said before, it’s very much important to me that I don’t become so quite caught up in the story that I accidently leak personal information.

What are your Laws/Commandments? : )

Just a few:

Show, don't tell. (Classic maxim, I know.)

Trust your story. If you can't believe in the plot, neither can your readers.

Conflict = drama. All stories must be dramatic to grip us, and therefore to set this drama in motion and create bags of interest, you must start with some kind of problem or conflict that has to be resolved, for better or worse. (This conflict can take different forms: vs. other people, vs. environment, vs. self, or most likely a combination of all three).

Love your characters. This includes your villains: if you can't empathise with them, neither can your audience.

Don't just write for money. This goes without saying, but if you aren't truly enthusiastic about what you write, your readers won't be equally excited.

Number 2 is my favorite and I'm glad I have the permission to do so. (:

And I would add:

-First drafts are horrible things. And that's good.

-Don't ever overuse the same words. It makes it boring.

are these supposed to be our own personal rules, or rules that generally should apply to everyone?

if the former, then here are mine:

1. It's okay to bend the rules every now and then for the sake of creativity.

2. Characterization is a must. No one cares about a story with wooden people.

3. If your story isn't causing the reader to want to know what happens next, then you're not doing your job right.

4. The story is your own; no one should tell you how it ends or where it goes.
(although suggestions are fine, of course.)

5. Try to write more than just one genre or style of fiction.

I have more, but I can't think of them right now.

Personal.

Don't make your main character you: put a little of yourself into every character, but don't use the story to live out your own fantasies.

Don't just write what you know: I'm sick of people saying that. Yes, we know what sadness feels like, so write about emotions you can identify with, put it in a situation you haven't been in before. It's called fiction for a reason (only applies to fiction)

Characters are number one: I know some other people have said this but, I want to stress it. If I'm reading a book with characters that are flat and lifeless, I will most likely hate it even if it is about the most exciting thing ever.

Write what you would like to read: Usually I hate romance novels, so when I felt like writing one, I didn't copy the style of the usual ones I don't like, I wrote something I would want to read. If you don't even want to read it, who would?

1. The story writes itself.

Do not plan out every aspect, detail and direction. It will make it predictable and boring.

2. Write or the story will die.

3. Be original, don't steal ideas.

4. Know your audience. Even if it is just yourself.

1. Write, write, write! So important. I've not finished a million majillion ideas because I failed to simply start writing them. Getting through first draft phase is the worst part for me.

That's the main one for me. Just...write. Although, I definitely agree/follow a lot of the commandments you guys put up there.

1. Write first, think later. Never make yourself wait for your brain to catch up with your subconscious.
2. Don't write for publishing. Write for yourself. Enjoying it is more important than getting famous for it.
3. If you can't say an adverb five times fast, don't keep it in the piece - or any piece, for that matter.

1. Write because it makes you feel good.
2. Write whatever you feel like writing.
3. WRITE!

Talk with your characters.

I know it sounds odd, but I have conversations in my mind all the time with my characters. That way, when I write about them, I can almost here them telling me what they think at the back of my mind. I have had characters throw fits in my head over things I planned to do with them, and it helped me realize that some of the things I was writing about was out of there character. And they can help you realize that. Just talk with them. Even if it sounds crazy.

My Commandments with writing:

1/ Love each and every character you create... even if they are the villians!

2/ Try to created a picture of your character in your mind. If you can... draw it. (This really helps)

3/ ALWAYS fight your way out of writersblock, never just leave it there and not write.

4/Try to show instead of tell unless there is a time where showing works better.

5/Make each character unique, makes the story more interesting.


6/NEVER copy off another writer, you can get inspired, but never copy!

7/Always try improve... even if you think you can't get any better, you can.

That's about it
xxmimixx

Lilymoore's Three Rules as a Writer


#1 - Never sacrifice your story to please anyone. Just because your story or your idea isn't loved by everyone doesn't mean you should just throw it away or even alter everything. It's one thing to edit and revise what you've put to paper. But it's not alright to change everything.

#2 - Take what you've lived and WRITE! I know Samuel Garrison has his own rather stingent rules on using personal information as inspiration but I have one of my own. No, I won't take my friends own personal drama and spin a story out of it but I will take my own experience (along with how other peoples hands have touched it) and turn them into a story. To be honest, the pieces of writing that have had the most promising responces have been based on my own life.

#3 - Never give up on a story or a character. Having hope in your story is the most important thing. Never ever give up.