Thoughts on the Rules of Writing and a Contest for you. By R.C. (Bob) Bonitz

Ever notice how famous writers sometimes ignore the rules you learned in workshops? If you’ve been around awhile, I’m sure you’ve been exposed to ‘the secrets’ of good writing- the rules that folks say will guarantee success, or really, will improve your writing at the very least. Show don’t tell, writing in deep POV, too much passive voice, avoiding the excessive use of ‘was’ or ‘that’, etc. I’ll bet you’ve gotten feedback from contest judges or editors who point out your every failing- wordiness, too much backstory in one place, repeated words in the same paragraph, redundant sentences, whatever.

I’m reminded of an aspiring writer I once knew in a writing class. She wrote the most confusing stories. One moment you’d be in Russia during WWII, and in the next sentence you’d be in Miami many years later. The instructor had her re-write and re-write until the story came out as the instructor thought it should. The new version followed a coherent timeline and adhered to the rules of good writing. But the story had lost its heart. The original often moved the class to tears. The revised version read like a dishwasher instruction manual.

In short, beware the rules! That writer lost herself in the instructor’s do’s and don’t's, the should’s of writing. She was no longer part of the story and it lost its soul.

I’m not saying ignore rules and feedback. I am saying don’t worry overmuch and above all don’t forget the heart in your story. Is it about a lovely heroine who stands on her own two feet despite trials and tribulations? About a wife who suffers at the hands of an abusive husband? A detective searching for a killer? Ask yourself- what is the heart and soul of that plot? Why do you care about that heroine/hero? What drives you to keep writing her story? What will make your reader keep reading? Never mind the technicals- do you have a hook here or there, etc. The question is- does a reader want more? If that answer comes out yes you’ve written a good book.

Leave a comment. Tell us about your favorite author or book and what makes them/it special for you. I’ll choose one comment at random and the winner will get their choice- a signed print copy (in the continental US only) of my book, A Blanket for Her Heart, or one of A Little Bit of Blackmail, both of which are currently available in print and ebook. Or, you may choose an ebook copy of my new sequel, A Little Bit of Baby, which was just released. Just leave a comment to enter. I look forward to hearing your ideas. Thanks for dropping by. RC Bonitz

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A LITTLE BIT OF BABY—

Jessie Wetherell has atrocious luck with men. Even her father abandoned her before she turned ten. Trying to fill the void in her life has become a never ending struggle. Every guy she meets takes advantage and then leaves her.

When Ike Harris enters the picture, things start looking up. Handsome and sexy, Ike stirs her heart and Jessie hopes he could be ‘the one’. Except he disappears just like every other guy she’s ever known.

When an old boyfriend comes back, Jessie faces a difficult choice—the ex who wants a second chance or Ike, the potential man of her dreams with the power to break her heart.

And now … Here is an excerpt from A LITTLE BIT OF BABY

Jessie Wetherell lugged a load of dirty dishes into the kitchen and set them on the counter. Customers still poured into Tony’s Ristorante, but her shift had ended five minutes ago. From the looks of the crowd Tony’s twenty-fifth anniversary party could go on all night, but she had a date. No way did she want to keep handsome Ike Harris waiting. She drained her glass of Tony’s homemade grappa, gasped, grabbed her purse, and after a quick goodbye to all, she hurried out to her car

Jessie laughed. Despite the free food, the regulars had given her good tips. She should go out and buy herself a present, or do something silly just for the hell of it. Her crazy sister would be getting married after knowing the guy just a few short weeks. Of course, Brian had taken a bullet for her, so no wonder Diane loved him. And Jessie happened to be dating his best friend, the sweetest man she’d ever met. Just thinking about Ike Harris warmed her heart.

Twenty minutes after leaving work, she parked her ancient green Ford behind the beautifully restored old Caddy sitting in front of her apartment house.

“Hey, bright eyes, it’s about time you got home,” a now familiar voice said as she slid out of the car.

Her pulse quickened. She turned with a smile. Red-haired, chisel-jawed Ike leaned against a lamppost, a grin plastered on his face, all six feet of him just brimming with pleasure and happiness. And a little expectation if she knew men.

“I’m not late. Your watch is wrong.”

He chuckled. “Hey, no excuses. We’ve got places to go and things to do.”

A bubble of warmth filled her heart. “With you? No way.”

“That’s what I like. Easy going, cooperative women.”

“Me? You missed the boat, my friend,” she said, mock serious.

Eyes twinkling with silent laughter, he said, “Damn, and I thought you were something special.”

“You’re sure you don’t think I’m simpleminded? ‘Cause I know what you’re after.” His playfulness, the easy banter they exchanged, thrilled her. What a wonderful man, Ike Harris. “Where are we going?”

He touched a finger to his lips and then to hers. “I thought you might like to join Brian and your sister to celebrate their engagement.”

Jessie frowned. Why didn’t she know about this? “They’re partying tonight?”

“Yup. And the Wetherell sisters need to be together when one gets engaged.”

“Geez, I need a shower first,” she said, and opened the lobby entrance to the apartment house.

Ike followed her inside.

She turned and poked a finger in his chest. “Whoa there, cowboy. Where are you going?”

“Mind if I come in and wait?”

The sparkle in his eyes made her warm all over. She trusted him. That amazed her. There weren’t many men she could say that about. They’d known each other a couple of weeks and, despite what she’d told her sister, he hadn’t made half a pass so far. “Okay, but behave yourself.”

“You have my word of honor.”

She threw a deliberate glance in his direction. Ike wore a beatific smile. “Maybe you should wait in the car.”

He laughed. “I’ll be good. Get your shower and let’s head for the hotel.”

Fluffy, her four-year old cocker spaniel, greeted them with wagging tail. She looked up at Ike with big beseeching eyes.

“She wants you to pet her,” Jessie said.

“I know,” Ike said and stroked the dog.

The funny thing? He did know. And Fluffy had taken to him the first time she saw him. Jessie watched the dog respond to his gentle petting. There had to be something important in that. Her dog trusted the man. She shook herself and quickly poured dry food into Fluffy’s bowl, then added water to another and set them on the floor.

Ike fidgeted around her oversized living room, picking up her magazines, studying the flower prints on the walls, studiously ignoring her as she dashed from bathroom to bedroom and back again, clean clothes gathered in her arms. He might be very sweet, but no way would she leave the bathroom again without being fully dressed. Stripping off her clothes, her nipples hardened and a warm tingle started up her spine. Actually, he really didn’t have to be good. They could get to the party late.

~~~~

Thank you for stopping by and sharing with us today, Bob. I’m looking forward to reading this new release.

Filed under: romance