Here are a few Rules by Famous Writers, for ideas of what we wanna break:
George Orwell
1. Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.
2. Never use a long word where a short one will do.
3. If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
4. Never use the passive where you can use the active.
5. Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word, or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
Elmore Leonard (selected-- we already used about half of his 'rules' as 'rules to break')
6. Never use the words "suddenly" or "all hell broke loose."
7. Use regional dialect, patois, sparingly.
8. Avoid detailed descriptions of characters.
9. Don't go into great detail describing places and things.
10. Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip.
(now I'm going from a collection of various writers giving their own
Ten Rules for Writing, from the Guardian... I don't know who some of these people are, but they seem to think they know what they're talking about, anyway... (do have a look at this big list, too, I'm kinda picking at random, ie, stuff III want to break...) ).
(Jonathan Franzen)
3. Never use the word "then" as a conjunction – we have "and" for this purpose. Substituting "then" is the lazy or tone-deaf writer's non-solution to the problem of too many "ands" on the page.
4. Write in the third person unless a really distinctive first-person voice offers itself irresistibly.
9. Interesting verbs are seldom very interesting.
(grr, a lot of these writers advise NOT to stress too much about following rules... not helpful, guys!)
(Michael Moorcock)
8 If possible have something going on while you have your characters delivering exposition or philosophising. This helps retain dramatic tension.
(Zadie Smith)
4. Avoid your weaknesses.
Hmm, I thought that would be easier. Too much good advice out there these days. Anyway, a bit of inspiration! What appeals?
