21.38: Rules, Tools, and History’s Fools
Shownotes
Today, we’re celebrating Erin’s birthday by talking about a topic of her choice. Which means we’re flipping “tools, not rules” its head. Our hosts revisit the Turkey City Lexicon, a snarky collection of writing “rules” that circulated widely among speculative fiction writers in 1988, and ask what still holds up—and what happens when useful terminology turns into rigid prescription. From “show, don’t tell” to white room syndrome and TV Tropes, we look at our recurring desire for an easy answer to what makes writing work. Then everyone picks a writing hill they’re willing to die on.
Homework:
Make a time capsule of who you are as a writer right now. Write down one piece of writing advice that’s working for you, one you disagree with, and one writing hill you’ll die on. Pick a meaningful future date to revisit them and see what’s changed.
Liner Notes:
“Crystallization” was correctly attributed to David Gerrold by Mary Robinette
Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.
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