Rules Of Writing
Submitted By leahhoggarth
Words: 616
Pages: 3
“There are three rules for writing- unfortunately no one can agree what they are Somerset Maugham
Mark Twain had three rules for writing. The first was 展rite,the second was 展riteand the third was 展rite.”
Many people will argue there is a specific way to write, that there is a formula to a piece of text and for it to be a success, this formula must be followed accordingly; but what is the definition of a successful piece of writing? Is it one that follows the pattern of thousands of others? Or is it one that simply disconnects from the crowd and stands alone in the quest to be unique?
This quote by Somerset Maugham supports the idea that everyone痴 rules to writing vary distinctively, that there are no boundaries, only the ones that you set yourself. It echoes that everyone has different conventions when it comes to literature and that this may be the explanation for so many authors success and prosperity- The fact that so many writers have different writing styles is what makes their novels become your favourite; it is what makes you desperate to relive them over and over again- because they hold a certain sense of bewilderment and power over you.
It is clear that Maugham seems certain that these 'three rules for writing' exist and there is no sign of doubt in his belief however it is obvious that he is insinuating that these regulations more or less state that you can write however you want, that they solely rely on personal preference, the ambiguity indicates that no one knows what these three rules are because they do not exist as strictly as first implied. Could anyone really suggest that there are restrictions on creativity? Of course not. I have interpreted it to simply express that everyone is individual and in the euphoric world of writing people deviate more than ever, therefore it would be unachievable for everybody to agree that there are three, if any, rules to writing and what they would consist of.
Initially I find that this quote states that there are supposed restrictions on writing however the latter part disagrees, suggesting that everyone has their own interpretation of these rules and that they fail to agree on what they are, allowing variation and individuality within the world of literature. It is apparent that it holds many contradictions within itself
