Forget About Writing Rules

Rules are important. Especially when it comes to writing. Without some basic parameters on writing the English language, communication through any media that includes the written word would be virtually impossible.

Writing rules are like the scar on my forehead: it’s a reminder of a painful memory.

Writing rules remind us of red ink all over our story about summer vacation we wrote in fifth grade. They remind us that we struggle with where to put a comma. They remind us that our ninth grade English teacher said we’d never learn to write like Charles Dickens or that columnist in Sports Illustrated.

Forget writing rules. Just write. Anything. (I broke two writing rules in that last line alone.)

Forget comma rules! If you want to take a breath while you’re reading your own stuff aloud, that’s probably where a comma should go. And if it’s not, who cares. (I believe I just misused a comma.)

Ignore what you’re "supposed" to do because it’s killing what you’re capable of communicating. Dig in, find your voice, and tell the world. That’s all. But that requires you to write. A lot. And often.

We need your story, your voice, your writing.
And, gosh darn it, you can write.