The Rules: I Won't (writing thread)

[oggbashan]

I will not take ratings to be a valid assessment of my story.

I will not cheat the reader with a plot that uses 'deus ex machina' or improbable coincidences.

I will not introduce unnecessary characters or sub-plots. Everything must eventually be relevant to the main storyline even if not obviously apparent.

I will not write a long story unless the characters and plot deserve it.

Most important to me:
I will not try to complete a failed story. I might use it as a quarry for other stories but once it has failed it should stay unposted. (That gets rid of nearly 200 part-completed works. Phew!)

Og

 

[oggbashan]

Added

I will not use too many sheep in my stories.

I will not use garderobes excessively (except if I have diarrhoea).

Og

 

[Guest]

I'm quite the opposite there. I don't write them in close connection - that is, within the same day or usually week - because I do need to immerse in the story. But I rotate; I do one stage with one story (notes, draft, or revision) and then move to another and do whatever stage it's on. I need the distance and objectivity; the most amazing crap looks good to me when I first write it.

I'm not happy unless I have more than one story going at a time. Just like I keep bookmarks in several books -- sometimes it feels like I have a book in each room and one in the car AND one in my bag...

Same with stories. Sometimes one starts to lose momentum or I'm stuck with a question to answer, but I still have the writing itch, so I move to something else and see what happens there. I keep notes, (I love Post Its!) I scribble in my notebook when I'm not near the computer...I don't know why it is that way, but that's the way it is.

And occasionally I even FINISH something!

 

[Guest]

I will not use too many sheep in my stories.

I will not use garderobes excessively (except if I have diarrhoea).

Og

How many sheep are 'too many'? The world wants to know.

 

[oggbashan]

How many sheep are 'too many'? The world wants to know.

The total sheep population of Australia MIGHT be too many...

Og

 

[FallingToFly]

A new Won't on my list...

I won't get trapped into writing what I think someone else wants, just so they don't bitch. I have better things to do with this gift than play peacemaker.

 

[CharleyH]

I have read over all the posts, and it's an excellent question. Some I agree with, some I don't and then another third post urges me to think differently. I can only hope as a writer, two things:

1) I will not be closed (similar to Neon not being afraid of experiment)
2) I will not take criticism poorly, even when I did not ask for it. (I save this one for when I am "really" published and have no power over it, though - lol - )

 

[AchtungNight]

I will not take ratings to be a valid assessment of my story.

I will not cheat the reader with a plot that uses 'deus ex machina' or improbable coincidences.

I will not introduce unnecessary characters or sub-plots. Everything must eventually be relevant to the main storyline even if not obviously apparent.

I will not write a long story unless the characters and plot deserve it.

Most important to me:
I will not try to complete a failed story. I might use it as a quarry for other stories but once it has failed it should stay unposted. (That gets rid of nearly 200 part-completed works. Phew!)

Og

Amen to all these, Og.

FYI to the curious- Every character and sub-plot in my stories is necessary. And yes, I know there are a lot. Even the ones that don't develop into much later were necessary for laughs.

 

[BlackShanglan]

I will not use too many sheep in my stories.

Too many sheep?

Not familiar with this concept. Explain.

 

[BlackShanglan]

The total sheep population of Australia MIGHT be too many...

Og

Oops, that will teach me to read the whole thread by responding.

*Homer Simpson voice*

"Total sheep population of Australia ... mmmmm."