Hi ,

Many writers draft an entire manuscript before learning the fundamentals of the art form.

As a result, when they come to me looking for editorial advice and discover: 

• their characters lack an arc
• the book’s theme is murky
• the scenes and story lack structure
• the narrative doesn’t demonstrate clear causality, 
• and/or any other of a number of universally common problems that emerge during the creation of a first draft . . . 

 . . .they can be (understandably) startled.

After all, no one becomes an artist because they want to follow rules.

And no one wants to write a story only to be told they're doing their art “wrong.”

That said . . . 

Creative writing (like all art forms) DOES has established fundamentals.

Many writers see these fundamentals as “rules” limiting their creativity. 

This, in turn, eventually leads to the question:

Are there actually "rules" to good writing and if so . . . can you break them?

That’s the question I tackle in the latest episode of episode of The Writing Coach podcast.

Listen to the episode or read the transcript here. 

Your pal in writing, 

Kevin T. Johns, writing coach

P.S. Story Plan Intensive, my free four-week training program that will help you create a rock solid outline for your next book in one month or less, begins next Monday. To get all the free training, homework templates, and community support, sign-up now.