Break the Rules Story Club

In Story Club, my young writers’ workshop, we explore character development, story structure and the tools of the trade. I felt like it was time to test those tools we learned and break the rules.

The craft of good stories comes with rules and techniques that are said to be best practice. Some of these rules help with communicating a story, but other rules may just be trends. Some rules may be very helpful to most authors, but may not make sense within a unique author’s writing style. After all, creative writing is an art form.

Which rules and tools really help our writing?

We found out by breaking the rules!

First, though, we brainstormed to come up with the guidelines we, collectively, felt were the rules of good writing.

‘Rules of Good Writing’ according to Story Club:

· Use good grammar.

· Use punctuation.

· Don’t include cross-outs in the story.

· Keep the same tense and same POV (Point of View).

· Write in chronological order.

· Have structure (beginning, middle and end).

· Have structure (tension rises to climax and drops).

· The main character develops over the story.

· Describe characters well.

· Don’t drop a character.

· Don’t kill off your main character.

· The narrator should not hate the main character.

· The narrator should stick to one opinion of the story (don’t switch sides).

· There should be only one narrator.

· The protagonist wins (unless it’s a Greek or Shakespearean tragedy).

· Stories have a protagonist and antagonist (or antagonistic force).

· Don’t change the time or place without telling the reader.

· Always make sure the reader knows what you’re talking about.

· Stick to one genre.

· Convey the story to the reader.

· Show not tell.

· Include Setting.

· Use all five senses.

Mika’s Passage (rules broken: the narrator should not hate the main character and … well, you’ll see)

Ellery looked up with fear all over her face. She was scared, the innocent thing. Scared she’d lose. Summing up the courage to stand, Ellery raised her sword weakly and pointed it at the huge figure in front of her. The giant, looming shape that embodied every bad thing.

No one would have been shocked to find out this Being had caused every conflict or disease the human race had ever known.

And now he was about to destroy Ellery. The young girl who had come here to end it.

I can’t wait.

Ellery jumped as the dark figure drew a sword of their own.

“I suppose you came here to kill me?” The demon-like being arched one bitter eyebrow.

“Yes.” Ellery straightened her back. “I have come to kill you and all of your hrjaiet!”

Oh. She used a word no one had heard before. How very, very, clever. Let’s all cheer.

Oh. wait. Not clever. Stupid.

“How adorable!” The being laughed. Then stabbed Ellery in the gut.

She died.

So there. Cry. Weep. beg me to resurrect her.

I. WON’T!

It’s her own fault anyway. She just assumed that because she was the heroine of this story, she’d live through it all. That’s how it works normally.

But not around here, darling.

Giulietta’s Passage (rule broken: write the story in chronological order)

Yesterday was gorgeous. Tina bought me birthday cupcakes and Joel actually never teased me at school. He always teases me. It’s so annoying. I’m married to him, did I tell you? Yup, it was his birthday yesterday and I got home from work early to make him dinner. Ouch! He pulled my hair. Mrs. Pittman! Joel pulled my hair and it hurt! Waaahhhh! I miss him so much. Yesterday, I visited his grave again. I brought a cupcake, he hated flowers. Our kids are coming home next week for the memorial. Yesterday was gorgeous. Tina bought me birthday cupcakes and Joel actually never teased me at school.

Did it help or hinder our stories to break the rules?

Let us know what you think. Keep in mind these stories and scenes were written in 20 minutes! And share your rule-breaking scenes, we’d love to read them!