There Are No Fixed Rules In Writing - But There Are Fixed Rules

Yes, I know this is one of those weird things in publishing, but let's face it, this is a strange business. One minute a genre is hot and then tomorrow, nobody likes the genre. The same goes with rules of writing.

I think that too often, writers seem to believe that each genre out there has a specific set of rules you have to follow. Maybe it is something that people just pass on through word of mouth. Maybe it is something that people who claim to be "specialists" teach in their workshops (along with this fabulous tonic that will cure all diseases), but more than likely, it is something that writers just "think" they are supposed to do because they "see it" when they "read it." 

But here is the reality. When it comes to telling a story, there really is not fixed rule. Write a great story. Keep the reader engaged. Create strong characters, a great setting, a great conflict and you are off and running. That's easy, right?

HOWEVER...

We can't go crazy here. This is not CALVIN BALL

If you remember the rules, "anything goes and you can change the rules at anytime." Nope! Not going to happen here. We have to have some stability. So, let's get back to our HOWEVER and consider a few rules...

CAN WE WRITE IN FIRST PERSON? You betcha... however, there are certainly some lines that are going to say we are not going to take that type of writing. They never have and they never will. If you have not read their lines, do not expect them to change. If you submit a first person story to them, expect a reject.

DUEL POV IS IN SO WE ALL WRITE IN THAT STYLE Ok, so we see people writing that way. They label each chapter with a character's name and use the whole chapter for that character. SO WHAT?!?! Does that mean you have to do it that way? Sorry to this, but the romance genre has been doing that for A LOOONNNNGGGG TIME but just have not been labeling chapters, or just did duel POV within a chapter (what a concept, huh?). Again, some publishers will say no to this.

NEW ADULT IS ALWAYS IN FIRST PERSON - Again, this is a myth. Writing in first person is based on the story. If the story is best written in first person, then write it in first person. If writing it in third person is better, then write it that way. Don't believe that myth. BTW... the same goes for Romantic Comedies.

EVERY SERIES ROMANCE HAS TO HAVE THE CHARACTERS INTERACTING IN THE FIRST CHAPTER - Here is the thing about a series romance. There is a word count restraint. Part of the reason you see the interaction happening so quickly is that the authors don't have 80-100 K. HOWEVER... It does not mean that your character has to interact with each other in the first chapter, HOWEVER, since you don't have much time, I would not be waiting past the end of chapter 2.

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE NEEDS A PROLOGUE WITH THE VILLAIN. Ummm, why? Sure, we want to start with action, but do we really have to see some weirdo with no context? Not necessarily? The question is always, "does the story need it?"

ROMANCE NEEDS HOT SEX Ok, this is one of those where the guys trying to break into the business screw it up. Remember, the romance genre is about following a relationship from essentially nothing to the HEA (Happily Ever After). That's it. If they decide to "do it" and the story needs it then feel free to put in the story. If the characters are fine with out it, then keep it out.

I hope you are seeing what I am talking about here.