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If you've been writing for any amount of time (or took an English class in high school), you’ve probably heard a few of the "golden rules" of storytelling:
Show, don’t tell.
Don’t use adverbs.
Avoid passive voice.
Stick to one point of view.
Never start a story with someone waking up.
There are dozens more. Some of them are so deeply ingrained that they feel less like guidelines and more like sacred laws that are never to be broken lest the ghosts of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens return to haunt you.
But here’s the truth: rules don’t make great stories—great storytelling does.
The rules exist for a reason. They point us toward stronger prose, tighter structure, and a more engaging reader experience. But if we let them govern every sentence, we risk turning our work into a lifeless checklist instead of a vibrant, living story.
Let’s talk about how to break the rules of writing intentionally—in a way that serves your story, elevates your voice, and still keeps the reader hooked.
Know the Rules First
You can’t break what you don’t understand.
Before you decide to ignore a writing “rule,” make sure you understand why it exists in the first place. For example:
“Show, don’t tell” encourages vivid, immersive storytelling.
Avoiding passive voice keeps your writing active and clear.
Sticking to one POV helps avoid confusing the reader.
These are all solid principles—but they’re not universal laws. When you know what a rule is trying to accomplish, you can choose when and how to bend it in a way that still achieves that goal.
Think of the rules as a safety net, not a prison. They’re there to support you, not contain you.
They provide general concepts for effective writing but can be altered to achieve your story’s purpose.
Breaking Rules with Purpose
Breaking the rules should be a creative decision, not a shortcut or an accident.
Let’s say you want to use an adverb (gasp!) because it nails the rhythm or tone of your sentence. If you know why you're doing it and what effect it creates, you're not being lazy—you’re being deliberate.
Some examples of purposeful rule-breaking:
Using passive voice in a mystery to withhold information: “The door had been forced open.”
Head-hopping between characters (abruptly switching point of view with a third-person omniscient narrator) in a short story to create tension or irony.
Telling instead of showing to move quickly through background information and get back to the action.
The point isn’t to prove that you're above the rules—it’s to use them (or not use them) in service of the story.
That’s why it’s so important to understand writing conventions first. You can’t defend why you are “breaking the rules” if you don’t first understand why those boundaries are in place.
Keep the Reader in Mind
Every writing choice you make has to answer one key question:
“How will this affect the reader?”
If breaking a rule adds beauty, clarity, emotional punch, or momentum—do it. If it distracts, confuses, or derails the story—maybe it’s not the right move.
Your reader isn’t grading your work for a writing class. They care about one thing: being transported, entertained, and moved by your story.
Your goal is to create an experience for the reader. That means that when you choose to break the rules, you need to consider the impact of your decision on your audience.
Will they feel more in tune with a character’s voice because you break the rules of grammar in dialogue? Or are there so many grammar violations that they’ll be confused and not understand what the character is trying to say?
When you keep their experience at the center, you'll know instinctively which rules you can break—and which ones you probably shouldn’t.
Trust Your Voice
One of the biggest dangers of rigidly following writing rules is that it can flatten your voice. You start writing what you think you’re supposed to write instead of what only you could write.
Some of the most iconic writers have distinctive, rule-defying voices:
Cormac McCarthy skips quotation marks (or doing literally anything he did)
E.E. Cummings played with grammar and form like it was finger paint.
Toni Morrison masterfully weaves omniscient narration with deep interiority.
These writers didn’t get where they are by following a formula. They experimented, they colored outside the lines, and because they trusted their voice, readers did too.
So, don’t be afraid to sound like you. If your story wants to be told in fragments, or second-person, or with a narrator who talks directly to the reader—go for it. Just be sure it’s clear, consistent, and intentional.
Get Feedback (But Don’t Panic)
When you break the rules, you might get pushback. A critique partner might circle something and say, “You’re not supposed to do this.”
That’s okay.
Your job isn’t to please every beta reader or workshop group—it’s to tell the story in the best way possible. That said, don’t immediately dismiss feedback.
Ask:
Did this choice confuse or disengage them?
Could I make this rule-breaking moment more effective?
Am I breaking the rule out of laziness or intention?
Your story will always be better if you stay open, curious, and willing to refine your work without diluting your voice.
Writing “rules” are tools—not commandments. They can guide you, sharpen your skills, and keep your story on track. But they should never stand in the way of your voice, vision, or creative freedom.
Break the rules. But break them well.
Ready to Build a Story that Breaks the Rules (the Right Way)?
If you’re dreaming up a writing project that doesn’t quite fit the mold—or if you want to create something bold, personal, and creatively fulfilling—The Ultimate Writing Project Workbook is your go-to tool.
This isn’t just a workbook. It’s a roadmap to help you:
· Clarify your big-picture vision
· Map out your story from idea to execution
· Stay motivated and focused through every stage
· Make creative decisions that align with your voice and purpose
Whether you’re writing fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, this workbook gives you the structure to stay grounded while leaving plenty of space to break the rules in all the right ways.
Grab your copy of The Ultimate Writing Project Workbook today—and get to work on the story only you can tell.