In a recent book concept consultation, a new client shared her new writing rules: she’d read that all books should have “three acts” no matter whether the book is self-help, memoir or a novel.
She tried to implement the writing rules she’d read about, to fit the structure of her book into three acts. The book just refused to cooperate.
Then she made a list of some of her all-time favorite self-help books. None of them seemed to fit the three act formula.
Still, she doubted herself. So we asked her muse, her inner creative guidance, for clarity, as I led her through a guided visualization.
Her muse was clear. “No more writing rules.”
Yes, there are some excellent guidelines for writing that can help make your writing come to life for readers. Yet, the most important guidance is your inner guidance. Experts don’t know everything. And they don’t know your book.
Only one working structure for any book? Nah. Just a guideline. An option. Not THE LAW.
Writing Rules are Guidelines
Writing Rules should serve a purpose. They should help you write a book that resonates for your readers and makes a positive impact on their lives.
Writing Rules are not immutable laws. There are exceptions to every rule—often many.
Some of the most successful books break the rules. Who would have thought that a chapter of PowerPoint slides would work in a novel? Yet, A Visit from the Goon Squad won a Pulitzer Prize.
Take risks on the page. Some will work and some will not. A strong editor and honest beta readers will give you the feedback you need.
And ultimately, you’ll need to trust your own inner guidance as well.
Can You Read While Your Write?
I also wondered about all the writing books this author continued to read—and the novels and self-help books, too. Was it working for her? Or could some of the stuckness she mentioned be traced back to “over-reading?”
We asked her muse about that, too.
“You’re not allowed to read any new books—just books you’ve read before—uplifting books only. Books that help you connect.”
Even then, her muse insisted she read those books only at night, well after writing time.
Write. That’s what her muse wanted her to do. Write.
Reading has its place but behind the writing. After the writing. Secondary.
Write. Then read.
Trust your own muse.
Trust your creative source.
Trust yourself.
Reader, what’s your experience? How much reading works for you and when? How about writing rules? Which work for you? Which don’t? How can you tell? Share your comments.
Lisa Tener is an award-winning book writing coach who assists writers in all aspects of the writing process—from writing a book proposal and getting published to finding one’s creative voice. Her clients have appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CBS Early Show, The Montel Williams Show, CNN, Fox News, New Morning and much more. They blog on sites like The Huffington Post, Psychology Today and WebMD.
You can never learn how to write books. You can only learn how to write the book you’re currently writing.
Your client was right to consider how others had written their books, and she was also right to eventually reject that advice and go her own way. Like you said, the experts didn’t know her particular book.
As for reading while writing, I think I’d go nuts if I didn’t, but it has to be something so different from what I’m working on that it can’t (for lack of a better word) pollute my own vision. The best example I have is that when I wrote a novel about Greek gods in modern society, I absolutely was not allowed to read American Gods by Neil Gaiman. That would’ve wrecked me. I read the new Anne Tyler instead. And probably a bunch of nonfiction.
My Publisher Tamara Monosoff: From the gorgeous cover to inner design, to the original inspiration for QR codes and putting every single one of those crazy videos on my website, and guiding me patiently throughout the process, Tamara is my dream publisher. Thank you!
The most talented photographer in the world, Seth Jacobson
PR Trainers Chris Winfield, Jen Gottlieb, Brittany Sisko, and the entire community at the Be Seen Accelerator
Beta Readers: Joshua Home Edwards, Tracy Hart, Stephanie Meyers, Laurie Hunt, LiDona Wagner, Mia Potter, Gael Johnson, Amber Hanks, Melissa Sones, Gael-Sylvia Pullen, and Paula Schonewald. I hope I did not leave anyone out—if I did please let me know so I can add you here!
Title Support Howard Van Es, Tamara Monosoff, Lorraine Segal, Tama Kieves, Kristin Meekhof.
Launch Consulting Howard Van Es
My Health and Wellbeing Posse who helped me survive the stress-induced health challenges I encountered on the way
Dear Friends Johannah Cremin (and her prayer circle) and Virginia Swain; Qigong teacher, Leah Franklin, and the lineage of Mei Hua Qigong masters from whom she learned; dream shaman Kari Hohne; loving guide, Linda Yael Schiller; acupuncturists Nancy Graham and Patricia Gilmartin; Lynne Ahn, MD and John McGonigle, MD; dowser, Erina Cowan; and special friends Linda Broadhead and Seraina Wood.
Book Ambassadors: Louise Brownell
Podcasters, Show Hosts and Early Adopters: Dan Janal, Sharon Burton Ways, Josh Steimle, Leslie Draffin, Robin Kall
Bloggers and Blogs: San Francisco Writers Conference, Jane Friedman, Nina Amir, Howard Van Es
My Supportive Family: Tom, Will, and Luke Patterson, and Mimi Sammis, you are the lights in my life! Tener and Arnold families, and the Patterson-Potters and Pattersons
My many colleagues from Harvard Medical School’s CME publishing and women in healthcare leadership courses—director Julie Silver, et al.
All my students!
All my amazing writing colleagues
Intellectual property advice, Attorney Dana Newman
A special thank you to my many clients and colleagues who gave me permission to quote their wonderful words in this journal
The brave souls who appear in the accompanying videos.
I could probably go on thanking deserving people for another twenty pages, so for those not listed, please know you have my gratitude.
Writing Rules: Do They Trump Your Gut?
Writing Rules: Do They Trump Your Gut?
Some of the most successful books break the rules. Who would have thought that a chapter of PowerPoint slides would work in a novel? Yet, A Visit from the Goon Squad won a Pulitzer Prize.
You can never learn how to write books. You can only learn how to write the book you’re currently writing.
Your client was right to consider how others had written their books, and she was also right to eventually reject that advice and go her own way. Like you said, the experts didn’t know her particular book.
As for reading while writing, I think I’d go nuts if I didn’t, but it has to be something so different from what I’m working on that it can’t (for lack of a better word) pollute my own vision. The best example I have is that when I wrote a novel about Greek gods in modern society, I absolutely was not allowed to read American Gods by Neil Gaiman. That would’ve wrecked me. I read the new Anne Tyler instead. And probably a bunch of nonfiction.