Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of understanding writing rules before attempting to creatively break them, with reading being the key to internalizing effective writing techniques.

Abstract

The author draws a parallel between learning driving rules and writing rules, suggesting that just as one observes and learns to drive safely, a writer must first grasp the conventions of writing to avoid wasting time and effort. The article posits that while there are established guidelines in writing, these rules can be bent to an author's advantage, much like the adage "Challenge your limits." The author reflects on personal experiences, noting that early writing attempts were incomprehensible due to a lack of understanding of these rules. The piece advocates for extensive reading as the primary method for learning to write, as it helps writers develop an intuitive sense of what works and what doesn't. Inspired by other Medium writers like Faith Ann, Tim Denning, Amardeep Parmar, and Felicia C. Sullivan, the author has incorporated their influences into a personalized writing style. The article concludes by encouraging writers to spend more time reading than writing to foster rapid evolution and maintain uniqueness in their craft.

Opinions

The author believes that not knowing the rules of writing can lead to self-inflicted harm in the form of wasted time and confusion.
Breaking the rules in writing can be beneficial if done knowingly and with an understanding of the craft.
Reading is crucial for writers as it builds a subconscious understanding of effective writing, akin to muscle memory.
The author values the influence of other writers and personal experiences in shaping one's unique voice in writing.
The article suggests that writers should not feel constrained by rules but should use them as a foundation to build upon and eventually transcend.
The author recommends a specific approach to time management for writers: two-thirds of one's time should be dedicated to reading, and one-third to writing.
The piece implies that writers are a composite of their influences, experiences, and the people they have met, which contributes to their individuality.

You Need to Learn The Rule of Writing Before You Break It

You will learn a lot from it and be incredibly inspired.

Before I got my driving license, I used to pay attention to what my dad did when he was driving. You could say that I already knew most of the driving rules before I took the wheel. I was creating rules in my mind by watching what a rule feels like. It’s all about respecting other drivers to avoid hurting someone, including yourself.

But what happens in writing? Well, if you don't know the rule of writing, the only person you might hurt is yourself. Your time will be wasted and you are left wondering what went wrong.

Writing and driving have one major difference though. You can break the rule of writing to your advantage.

“Don’t limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.” — Anonymous

When I got into writing, I wrote for myself. If I read it now, I can’t understand what I wrote back then. Do you want this to happen to you, too?

I hope not. The only way you can write and be different than any other writer is by knowing where to be different. What rule you can break to your advantage. What change won’t hurt your writing?

I follow a lot of people on Medium. Honestly, I can’t read all of them, it consumes a ton of time.

The few I read, are good. Some of them are unique when they write, for instance, Faith Ann keeps me reading the whole story easily. She became one of my favorites.

But others are all over the place. Now, I won’t quote anyone here, but I can’t read them. They don't know how to write and it breaks my heart. I’m planning on unfollowing them.

What are the rules of writing? I don't know.

Uhm, what are you saying Giorgos?

Yes, this is a paradox.

Writing is all about experimenting. There are rules, but there aren’t any rules. It might sound confusing, but it’s not.

The “rules” of writing are only an estimation of what other successful writers do to succeed.

You might as well say that the only rule of writing is to read

By reading you are creating in your mind what sounds right and whatnot. It’s a writing memory. Exactly like muscle memory, but with words in your brain.

If you read a lot of articles with spacing between paragraphs, you will subconsciously use more spacing in your next article.

When I started writing, I was already on Medium for 2 months.

Writers like Tim Denning, Amardeep Parmar, and Felicia C. Sullivan were my inspiration. After reading their stories, I implemented some of their traits into my writing.

My first ever story is the typical Beginner’s guide into Medium.

But it is filled with my personal touches. It has more humor and it combines lessons I’ve learned from other writers.

Again, you see that the rule of writing is reading.

Every author became an author after reading hundreds of books. In their mind, they created rules of writing according to every book they have read.

After that, they could write in their own unique approach.

We are filled with pieces of other people.

Let me show you exactly what I mean.

I’m 5% Tim, 5% Felicia, 5% Amardeep, 20% my parents, 40% every book I’ve read, and 25% my friends, experiences, people I’ve met.

That makes me 100% me!

So yeah, rules can’t be objective. Rules are different for any of us, but they exist to make us have limitations. A righteous average.

I wish to see you, being a better version of others. That will still make you, I promise you won’t be an impostor.

My only rule for writing is indeed reading.

In your writing journey, I would recommend spending 1/3 of your time writing and 2/3 reading. Your evolution will be rapid.

You are the collective experiences of other people combined with yours.

This is why everyone is unique in this world.

And this story is different than any other stories I’ve written. Because I wanted to play with my rules today. I wanted to try something different, but not a lot.

You Need to Learn The Rule of Writing Before You Break It

You will learn a lot from it and be incredibly inspired.

You might as well say that the only rule of writing is to read

My only rule for writing is indeed reading.

Do you read before you write or do you write before you read?

Sorry Mother But I Can’t Love You

Maybe for the sake of humanity, I could “love” you instead.

I Found A Lost Piece Of Myself Watching This Rainbow

Sometimes we need a break to love ourselves.