Cyn

           In Pirates of the Caribbean Miss Elizabeth quoted the pirates code over and again only to be told “They’re more like guidelines.”  So are most of our rules regarding writing.  Rules have purpose and knowing when to ignore certain writing laws means having an understanding of why they exist. 
          If you’re like me, you probably have all sorts of novel writing “how-to” books stuffed in your bookcase or piled on your desk.  A few are keepers: advice in Dwight Swain’s Techniques of the Selling Writer, for instance; Stephen King’s On Writing; or even Chris Baty’s No Plot, No Problem.  These tomes keep company with Webster’s Dictionary; Roget’s International Thesaurus; various Writer’s Digest books; Grun’s The Timetables of History; The Handy Space Answer Book; encyclopedias and a host of smaller reference books.
         Then there are the classes:  on-line classes generating hundreds of emails; workshops sponsored by various RWA organizations; conferences; seminars; the list goes on and on and generally breeds piles of unweildy paper information you must keep.
         Add to your books, hand-outs and other workshop materials your private, personal paperwork and you’ve a breeding ground for all sorts of mini (or not) paper stacks.  You know, the piles that replicate with the speed of lemmings and seem to be as suicidal as those Nordic varmints, diving off the carefully constructed heaps sitting perilously close to the edge of your perpetually small desk? 
        This isn’t an essay on resources and especially not on organization (my desk has rarely been known to have a square inch of available working space).  Rather its on the “rules” those piles represent.  You may remember in Pirates of the Caribbean the importance several of the main characters placed on the pirate’s code.
         So, here are a five of those writing rules we inevitably come across:
                1.  Don’t use adverbs.
                2.  Don’t use the word “that”.
                3.  Avoid contractions.
                4.  Don’t start sentences with “ing” words or repetitive use  of  "he"  or  “she.”

                5.  Don’t end sentences in prepositions.
         Before you go any further, realize I am not advocating disregarding these rules entirely.  Rules show up for a reason.  Codes for anything had a basis in real need.  Think of all the laws we wouldn’t have to have on the books if our natural human inclinations hadn’t become abusive.
         1.  Don’t use adverbs (here, now, very, often, seldom).  This rule lives side-by-side with the dreaded Get rid of “ly” words (clearly, quietly, slowly, excessively).  This team of adverbs (generally “ly” words are adverbs) developed as a result of overuse.  Adverbs are legitimate, descriptive words applied most frequently to verbs.  Generally avoided in non-fiction work like themes and doctoral dissertations, they are fine to use in fiction, sparingly, like seasonings when stronger verbs can’t be found.  Adverbs to avoid are those like the word “very” which has no real purpose.
         Whenever possible, limit the use of “ly” by using more descriptive verbs.  For example, think of the word “walk”.  Now reflect on all the possible styles of “walk” there are.  When in doubt, choose a more descriptive verb over the adverb, but use the adverb if nothing else works.
         2. Don’t use the word “that”.  Oh, boy.  I have to say this word is a particular pet peeve of mine.  Nine times out of ten the word “that” is unnecessary.  An easy check, see if the sentence still makes sense without “that” included.  If it does, drop “that” from the sentence.  You will notice there are times when a sentence just won’t work unless “that” is included.  Use your judgment. 
        3.  Avoid contractions.  If there were a rule born out of term paper writing, this would be it.  Contractions rarely have a place in formal writing.  However, we write fiction.  We write the way people talk and people use contractions.  Unless your character uses formal speech, contractions are especially important in dialogue.  One “rule” to keep in mind: Remember your time period.  If you are writing a historical certain words just plain did not exist and the educated man used very little if any contractions.  “I cannot go with you, Mildred.”  His modern counterpart would sound awkward avoiding the use of contractions and would more than likely intone, “I can’t go with you Millie.”
       4.  Don’t start sentences with “ing” words or repetitive use of “he” or “she”.  “Ing” words tend to set us up for unclear statements or give the impression two actions are occurring simultaneously.  Careful use eliminates this confusion and varies paragraph openings.  How confusing is a construction like this: Racing, John plopped onto the chair.  If poor John is racing to get the last empty seat, then you need to make the picture clear.  John can’t both race and plop at the same time.  ‘Nuff said?
       This rule I’m certain was born out of reader boredom.  Face it, you are bored if you read paragraph after paragraph of story that starts the same way … he sauntered … she ran … he raced … she talked … ad nausea.  However, there are times when this must be done.  Just remember variety is the spice of life and use it.
       5.  Don’t end sentences in prepositions.  Of all the “rules” this one makes the most sense.  A preposition implies there is more to come after the preposition.  Remember prepositional phrases in grammar class?  (Okay, so you’d prefer to forget grammar, but hey, we’re {we are}in the business now.)  Ending in a preposition isn’t so bad, but using a phrase is better. 
       Prepositional phrases act as long adverbs and adjectives used to describe nouns, pronouns or verbs.  They start with a preposition (in, from, to, into, of, by, across, for) and end with a noun or pronoun.  It’s far better to know “There is a leak underneath the sink.”  “There is a leak underneath” leaves our reader hanging unless this was a bit of dialogue and the speaker used physical indicators to show where the leak existed.
       Authors read excessively about “rules” and frequently end up more confused than necessary.  One sage’s advice differs from another’s.  Who do you listen to?  Miss Elizabeth’s frustration easily reflects our own when we consider all the “rules” of writing we’ve been exposed to. 

      Remember, “They’re more like guidelines.”

      Savvy?