**Warning: This post is slightly sarcastic. This post is not written to criticize anyone who does these things. This is simply my own thoughts, sarcastic though they may be.
*climbs on soapbox and takes a deep breath*
Have you ever heard of the great and powerful, all important and yet ambiguous “THEY”? When “THEY” command, order or approve, it is our duty as loyal subjects and dutiful followers to bow to “THEIR” wishes and obey.
“Thou shalt never use the word said!”
Yes, master! *scratches 742 “said”s from work in progress*
“Thou shalt not comment on, reply to, or acknowledge any reviews positive or negative on your published books”
Of course, all knowing one! *wonders if deleting comments of thanks is acceptable*
“Thou must never use a adverb that ends in “ly” for those are utterly despicable, highly juvenile, completely worthless, and vastly outdated.”
Yes, honored one. *searches through document sadly and deletes word after word after word after . . .*
“Thou must always show and not tell”
Yes, master. *wonders about those old classics that are still being read and that have a lot of telling*
“Thou shalt not doubt or question the wisdom of anything THEY tell you to do”
Certainly, uh, I mean,–– Wait!
Just Who are you?
Who is this THEY that issues such commands?
How come THEY have the right to tell me what to do?
My story is not their’s and if I would prefer to have the word “said” used sometimes, I most certainly have that right! *hits undo and restores all “said’s to document with satisfaction*
And as for those adverbs that end in “ly” . . . Perhaps my writing would be stronger if I didn’t put one in every sentence, but to say they should never be used is as crazy as saying you should never eat salt. (Your body has to have salt.) *Joyfully adds my adverbs back in*
What’s this about never commenting or anything on a review? Who said? Oh, I forgot, “THEY” did! I will agree that getting into a debate about someone’s negative review isn’t professional, but I don’t mind telling you that when I’ve left a positive review on a book and the author leaves a comment of “thanks” or “that made my day,” it brought a smile to my face and made me eager to write another positive review. So tell me, why should I not brighten other lives in the same manner? A long time ago (before there was such things as Goodreads and Amazon) authors didn’t have the chance to thank reviewers. Their fans wrote them real letters *gasps* and some authors, when they had time, replied. Now days we have an easier way to review books (you don’t have to be a bigwig to write a review for a paper or magazine) and an easier way for authors to say “thanks.” So, though “THEY” may say it’s unprofessional to thank a reviewer, I am not bound by “THEIR” rules and laws.
Especially since I have no idea who “THEY” are anyway.
But really, who are “THEY”? Why should we trust and follow their rules blindly? Some of “THEIR” advice might be good, but take everything with a grain of salt *offers saltshaker* and find out, if you can, who is behind this all powerful yet ambiguous “THEY.” Don’t just believe because someone said to, don’t just blindly follow rules and regulations because someone said so, but really know whereof you or they, speak.
*climbs off soapbox and looks around cautiously for flying vegetables*
What is something “THEY” have said that you don’t follow? Or do you follow everything anyone says? Have your heard of these “rules” before? And do tell me, if you know, who is “THEY”?
Excellent post, Rebekah! Thank you! 🙂
😉 You’re welcome.
This is perfect! Always remember, it’s your story! Not “Theirs”. All advice in moderation. Your style may not be anothers. That’s because God made us all different. I don’t care what “they said”. And this may be a little crazy, but often I think of “they” as a undercover terrorist organization, lol! You know, dressed all in black, with laptops, filling our heads with do’s and don’t’s that no one but they really care about XD Okay…now that I’ve actually said that, it sounds a lot crazier, lol! But hey, I have an active imagination ;p
Haha! I’ve never gone to that extreme about “them” but that picture is pretty good. 😉 Glad you liked the post.
No flying veggies here! I looove this! I’ve always wondered who “they” are too and why what “they” say is ‘law’. *stands a little taller*
The one I detest the most is ‘Look at the market and what is selling best and write what the readers want, otherwise you’ll never sell a book’. Um, nope. I don’t want to write the ick that sells the most. I want to write the books of my heart, the ones the Lord gives me.
Yes! That whole lie about writing what will sell is something that really bugs me too!
I have asked the question, “who is ‘they'”? Even though I don’t have one concerning writing, I do have something “they” have told me.Whoever “they” is, have said that you can’t do anything worthwhile in life without going to college and earning a degree. In fact, you can’t even get a semi-decent job. Receptionist is the highest job you can get because you have no training for anything else. It is a very sad lie, and I think “they” do not have our best interests in mind. 😕 😳
It would be better to stick with what God says. 😊
That is a lie and I’m glad you recognize it as such. There are many jobs you can get. And God’s ways are always best. 🙂
Thanks for sharing!
Love this! Write what God gives you, not what “they” say. This is why my books will never have a mainstream audience, but that’s fine. 🙂
Thanks, Erika! Yes, “they” like to try an control what people do and write, but we don’t write for “them”. At least we shouldn’t. 🙂
WHO ARE THEY AND WHY ARE WE SUPPOSED TO LISTEN TO THEM?? 😂😂 This was great!! And you know, when you stop to think of it…we don’t even know who “they” are…how come we feel so obligated to them? 🙃
I have no idea! 😉 For some reason we get it into our heads that because “they” said so, it must be true or something. 😉 I really wish someone would track down who “they” are for some of these ideas. 🙂
Also tagged you for the Book Buddy tag 😉 https://soldiergirlstories.com/index.php/2019/09/18/book-buddy-collab-tag/
Thanks. That looks fun. 🙂 I won’t have time to do it until next year though since my blog posts are all filled up. But I’m going to put it down. 😉