Well, I think there ARE some hard and fast rules. Like, you know, be interesting. Or communicate clearly. (Even if you're disobeying grammar rules, you have to be clear!)
And the rules change depending on who you're writing for. Just for yourself, in a journal? Go nuts. For friends and family? You might want to tighten things up a bit, so that people enjoy it. For publication? That's a can of worms that I don't even want to open today!
And the rules change depending on who you're writing for. Just for yourself, in a journal? Go nuts. For friends and family? You might want to tighten things up a bit, so that people enjoy it. For publication? That's a can of worms that I don't even want to open today!
Well, that's not true, either. Writing doesn't *have* to be interesting. Some purposes are served without being interesting. Some purposes are served without communicating clearly, either.
Would you want to read something that wasn't interesting?
It's not about want. There are many classic works that aren't at all interesting. They serve a purpose. It's rare in fiction. But then, what about nonfiction? Not everything is interesting to everyone.
I don't think you understand what I'm trying to say.
Cool, coz I was thinking the same thing about you. Not everything is "interesting". A lot of experimental writing really isn't. And I've never heard anyone describe James Joyce's Ulysses as interesting.
I wouldn't recommend any novice writer try to break that "must be interesting" rule unless they've followed it pretty closely for awhile, but it doesn't mean that no one can break that rule.
I wouldn't recommend any novice writer try to break that "must be interesting" rule unless they've followed it pretty closely for awhile, but it doesn't mean that no one can break that rule.
I think the point of experimental writing is to find new ways to make things interesting.
Although I don't agree that is everyone's motivation, that doesn't mean it automatically becomes interesting.
Then there's the fact that some things are only interesting to a tiny group of people.
In general, "make it interesting" can't possibly be a hard rule, because it's so subjective.
Then there's the fact that some things are only interesting to a tiny group of people.
In general, "make it interesting" can't possibly be a hard rule, because it's so subjective.
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