Rules such as "Write what you know, " and "Show, don't tell, " while doubtlessly grounded in good sense, can be ignored with impunity by any novelist nimble enough to get away with it. There is, in fact, only one rule in writing fiction: Whatever works, works.

Tom Robbins
About This Quote

The phrase “whatever works, works” is a common writing cliché. It’s used to justify the writer’s instinctive approach to the story because the author doesn’t know what will work, so he or she just does whatever feels right. The key to a successful novel lies in that idea that you don’t know what will work. You don’t know if your characters will be convincing.

You don’t know if your plot twists will be satisfying. All you can do is follow your instincts and make what feels right, and it is likely to be magic.

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