This is the sixth in a series of articles about so-called writing rules.
“Rules are for the obedience of fools and the guidance of wise men.” ~ Harry Day
Day knew all about rules. He was a British officer through two world wars. Even though obedience was drilled into him by his military training, he recognized that rules are not absolute.
Nevertheless, POW Harry Day worked diligently to return from German captivity to his rule-based life. He planned several prison-camp breaks, including the one on which the Hollywood movie The Great Escape is based.
Robert A. Heinlein said, “I am free, no matter what rules surround me. If I find them tolerable, I tolerate them; if I find them too obnoxious, I break them.” Although Heinlein, author of multiple award-winning books, wasn’t referring to writing rules, his words merit notice by writers.
This post examines four more rules. Are they for the obedience of fools, or are they too obnoxious to keep?
See also The Master List of So-called “Rules” for Writers.
Rule 23: Never Use Parentheses (Round Brackets) in Fiction
I’ll let a famous writer speak for this rule via the following excerpt.
They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colours (chiefly green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow natural leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh deep fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it).
If you don’t recognize the paragraph, it’s from The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.
The parentheses in Tolkien’s books are part of his writer’s voice, and they lend individuality to his prose. It’s not the way I write, and it’s probably not your style either, but he sold millions of books. Many of Tolkien’s novels are still on the top-ten bestseller lists of online retailers, and several movies are based on his imaginative storytelling.
I recommend sparse use of parentheses, because they interrupt the flow of writing and often breach the fourth wall. However, if someone shoves Rule 23 down your throat, remind them of Tolkien.
Other best-selling authors guilty of breaking this rule:
- Stephen King, oft quoted by writing gurus (On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft, The Institute, The Shining, It, Misery, Pet Sematary, The Dark Tower series, etc.)
- Thomas Pynchon (V, Gravity’s Rainbow, Mason & Dixon, Against the Day, Bleeding Edge,)
- And let’s not forget Virginia Woolf, William Faulkner, Vladimir Nabokov, Charlotte Bronte, and many other writers too numerous to list.
The Writer’s Lexicon series
and additional resources on my Facebook page.
Rule 24: Never Use Italics to Emphasize a Word
Really?
Consider the different meanings of the following seven-word sentences:
I never said he borrowed my car. (But someone else said it.)
I never said he borrowed my car. (Really, I didn’t. Ever.)
I never said he borrowed my car. (I implied it.)
I never said he borrowed my car. (I said someone else did.)
I never said he borrowed my car. (I said he stole it.)
I never said he borrowed my car. (It was someone else’s car.)
I never said he borrowed my car. (He borrowed something else.)
Do you see why emphasis might be important? While an overabundance of italics will annoy readers, sometimes they’re necessary to clarify text.
Rule 25: Don’t Write in All-Caps for Emphasis
All-caps implies aggression or shouting. It shows up in emails, on social media, and in texts. Many people think it’s a modern idiosyncrasy. Sorry. Those people are wrong.
Consider this excerpt from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, written by Mark Twain — an author whose advice is often touted by the writing community:
“Oh, of COURSE you will.”
“Well I WILL.”
“Well why don’t you DO it then? What do you keep SAYING you will for? Why don’t you DO it? It’s because you’re afraid.”
“I AIN’T afraid.”
Twain published The Adventures of Tom Sawyer in 1875, long before the days of internet and cellphones.
Creative thinkers have relied on all-caps for thousands of years.
Does that mean you should use them?
Your writing — your decision.
Many readers and editors prefer punctuation, paragraph breaks, italics, and other methods to emphasize text:
Punctuation: occasional exclamation points and em dashes.
Paragraph breaks: short paragraphs, sometimes as brief as one sentence or one word.
Italics: Remember Rule 24.
Rule 26: Do Not Use Contractions
Consider the following quotes about contractions.
Brock Clarke: “There is something underwhelming about scholarly hate mail — the sad literary allusions, the refusal to use contractions.”
Mitch Hedberg: “I have a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign on my hotel door. It’s time to go to ‘Don’t Disturb’. It’s been ‘Do Not’ for too long. We should embrace the contraction.”
Although I agree with Brock Clarke’s opinion, I prefer Do Not Disturb on my hotel door. In my mind, I hear Do NOT Disturb, a strong statement. Don’t Disturb seems wimpy and nonassertive.
However, the following paragraph would annoy me. It sounds wooden, almost pretentious.
I have always believed in her innocence, but now I am doubtful. I cannot confront her. I just cannot. She would not understand why I have changed my mind.
More natural and readable:
I’ve always believed in her innocence, but now I’m doubtful. I can’t confront her. I just can’t. She wouldn’t understand why I’ve changed my mind.
Contractions have been part of the English language for centuries. Try removing them from a few pages of your work in progress, and then read the edited pages out loud.
Need I say more?
See also 8 Guidelines for Contractions in Writing.
What do you think?
I’d love to hear your opinion about Rules 23 to 26.
What’s the silliest writing rule you’ve ever encountered? Please let me know, and I’ll consider adding it to the list for future posts in this series.
See also The Master List of So-called “Rules” for Writers.
Are You Interested in Word Lists and Writing Tips?
If you haven’t done so already, please subscribe to my blog. (The link will take you to the subscription widget at the top left of this post.)
I usually post two to five times monthly, and you can discontinue your subscription at any time.
The Writer’s Lexicon series
and additional resources on my Facebook page.
I love contractions and use them all the time. Do use italics, but sparingly, otherwise they lose their punch. Don’t often use all caps, but am not opposed to it. I find italics seem to do the trick. As for parens? Well, I haven’t found the occasion to use them, but wouldn’t rule them out. Yes, they do sort of breach the wall, but if necessary, breach ahead. I haven’t had reason to –yet.
Great post!
Thanks, Jean.
You have a good understanding of what works for you. Whenever I see a rule that starts with never, always, or don’t, my critical side wakes up.
Kathy,
Thanks for the great advice. I’m behind the curve on writing rules because of many wasted, inattentive years in school–that I don’t regret. Nonetheless, your advice is very timely. By the way, I’ve worn the corners off your books. They were a tremendous help in the course of my first book, which I published in September. I quickly learned rules are important until they don’t fit the situation. Thanks for validating my decisions.
F. William Lester
Thanks, Frank. Amazing how we don’t realize the importance of school until later in life.
I’m so glad you found the Writers’ Lexicons helpful. The Writer’s Body Lexicon is taking shape, more slowly than I had hoped, and will be available next year.
Good luck with your book sales!
Italics for emphasis, yes, absolutely., and no to capitals.
Personally, I rarely use parentheses, preferring to use an em dash or a comma.
As to contractions, I don’t use them in the main body of my work, but do in dialogue. That was how I was taught many eons ago. I’ve come across writers in my critique group who don’t use them even in dialogue, but this sounds wrong.
I mostly agree with your approach, Vivienne, except for contractions. I prefer prose that reads naturally. A lack of contractions makes text sound awkward, especially when read out loud. But every writer is different, as is every reader. If we all wrote the same way, books would be boring, right?