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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25253
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25253
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

There is a huge market for simple rules like this. There is a huge appetite for rules and formulas to make writing simple and easy. Whenever there is a huge market for anything, someone steps forward to supply that market, regardless of whether there is any merit to the product they are selling.

The general term for this is snake oil. Where there is illness, there is demand for a cure. Where there is a demand for a cure, someone will supply a cure, regardless of whether the cure is actually effective. Snake oil.

Writing is not simple or easy. All the simple prohibitions of the writing teachers are snake oil. They exist because people demanded simple answer even when there aren't any.

The truth is the just about any device or technique can work if done well. And all devices and techniques are hard to do well. Any of these writing bromides can be disproven by pointing to a great writer who uses the prohibited technique brilliantly.

There are no shortcuts. The snake oil does not work. Writing is hard. You need to read voluminously, widely, and with attention. And you need to write with deliberation, honesty, and diligence.

Original score: 3