Make broken rules work

Does the short story work?

Did you break the rules?

That’s ok if the reader is satisfied and the piece works.

I love flash fiction.  It thrives on rule bending.

Here are some rules to follow or bend:

“Avoid run-on sentences that are hard to read

No sentence fragments.

It behooves us to avoid archaisms.

Also, avoid awkward or affected alliteration.

Don’t use no double negatives.

Kill all exclamation points!!!

Never use a long word when a diminutive one will do.

Avoid cliches like the plague.”

Some “Fumblerules” adapted from “Mistakes that call attention to the rule by William Safire.”

I add my own fumberule:   Adverbs are clumsily thrown into narrative.  Don’t use them.

Remember – all writing rules are meant to be bent, twisted, broken and distorted.  As long as the narrative works.   That’s the rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(oh, dear…)