On Rules, Patterns and Honesty

Greetings, Timmy! Today, we’re diving into a topic that requires a bit of clarification before we proceed. I want to dispel any confusion right off the bat – what I’m about to share with you isn’t set in stone. I know, Timmy, I tend to repeat myself throughout our time together, but people can be a bit resistant when it comes to embracing new perspectives. Many prefer following a predetermined path rather than carving out their own, content to accept what they’ve been taught without questioning it. Excuse the melancholy undertone here; I used to be part of that crowd.

So, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page. When I say, “writing is a set of proven patterns that work,” what exactly do I mean? It’s quite simple, Timmy.

As I’m typing these words (yes, I know it’s not technically ‘penning,’ but let’s not get bogged down in details), we find ourselves in an age of unparalleled creativity and production. Everything is in flux, evolving towards a different paradigm. Whether it’s for better or worse, I can’t definitively say, though I’m hopeful it’s for the better. With this surge in production, there has been a deluge of studies on the subject of writing – its components, our understanding of it, and how it functions. I know this because I immerse myself in these studies to gather the knowledge I share with you, Timmy.

However, hindsight has a way of altering one’s perspective. It’s made me realize that, amidst this whirlwind of change, there’s a risk of losing ourselves. We might find ourselves adrift in the very tools that make our craft possible.

Are you feeling a bit confused? Well, we humans are inherently fearful beings, always in search of security and shelter, even if it’s just a fleeting sense of it. Consequently, when we set out to create something, we tend to gravitate towards what feels safe. In writing, this often translates to sticking with proven formulas from the past and replicating them. If it worked once, it should work for me too, right? Well, yes and no.

Now, Timmy, let’s touch on the issue of identity and honesty – a topic we’ll delve into another time. What’s crucial here is that in our quest for originality, we risk transforming guides into rigid rules. I get it, Timmy. Writing something truly unique means writing with honesty, and that’s a bold endeavor because it requires genuine truthfulness. The key is to take the advice given as a guide and mold it into the story you want to tell.

Sure, there are things you should avoid, like betraying your readers’ trust and losing their respect. However, beyond those boundaries, feel free to tell the story you envision. Take what works for you and what the story demands, but don’t let it become shackles. Embrace that freedom. Furthermore, the way a story is told depends entirely on how the author envisions it. The traditional structure of beginning, middle, and end is perfectly acceptable and effective. Still, if you have a vision of constructing it to read like end, beginning, middle – go ahead, do it. It might even be a game-changer, who knows.

“But that might not work,” you might say. Let me break it to you – a traditional setup may not work if executed poorly. I’m not suggesting you discard traditional setups; they have their place. What I am saying is, don’t let them hold you back or become a crutch for your own fears.

Now, what about people? Are they nasty? Well, yes, they always have been, but that shouldn’t deter you. Sure, there’s a surplus of negativity online, with people fixating on the bad because that’s what sells, often overlooking the good. Don’t let that discourage you either. Focus solely on your work, not in the prison of others’ opinions. Even if they’re unkind, take it as a sign that you’ve created something worthy of criticism. Pat yourself on the back and walk with satisfaction because it means you’ve done something noteworthy.

So, Timmy, I hope I’ve clarified some doubts you might have had. Until next time!