The One Rule of Art
Writing is art. And whether or not there are rules for creating art is something we have debated for a long time.
But to be honest, only creative writing can be entirely classified as an art.
So let’s confine this argument to creative writing alone.
But still are there any rules?
Yes, just one.
Every piece of art is made to convey a message, from the creator to the viewer. The message might be of varying significance and of varying levels of importance, but still, there is a message.
The only rule of art is to make sure that this message survives the journey from your mind through your art and into the mind of your viewer without losing its original form.
There are no other rules than this. You entire art would be made upon a central message or a central idea, as long as you get that through, the entire creation can be in any way you wish.
This is especially valid for writing. No matter what you say or how you say it, all that matters is that whether or not your readers can really understand the thing in the same way as you understand it.
But still, what about the bits of advice like, “Use fewer adverbs” or “Stop using the word ‘very’” that we get from famous writers?
I see them as the use of colors in art. Some colors seem nice, warm and inviting; while others are gloomy.
But do we always have to use bright colors?
When seen in an art exhibition, most (not all) of the people will probably like the bright, warm and inviting paintings. It’s more like a popular taste.
These bits of advice are more of the same, they are just suggestions of warmer and brighter colors. If you want your art to be approved, if you want to please the popular tastes of the people then go on and follow them. It’s something we all should do at some point, like when we want our works published, accepted and liked.
But these are not rules, they are just instructions for creating stuff for the masses. But for creating art, the only rule is to get your message into your viewer without losing its true form.
This post first appeared on The Resonant Voice
