Robert's Rules of Writing

- Robert Masello -

I typically cruise the library on my lunch break. I work at a local college, with a well stocked library only steps from my office, which is a real perk for a bookworm like me. Over the years I've been reading my way through the small section on creative writing, and I've recently ran across this gem. Robert's Rules of Writing.

I have no idea who Robert is. I can tell you, he thinks very highly of himself, and makes it out like he is one of those prolific writers of sit-coms and movies. One of those all-star writers who quietly type away in the background, not looking for fortune or fame, just sharing their gift of writing with the world...okay, after a quick google search I found out this guy is a prolific writer (with 20 good sized books, credits in many television shows, and other journalistic stuff).

Interesting, because I found his 101 tips to be almost common knowledge when it comes to realm of writing tips. I'm not saying that is a bad thing. I'm saying there are only so many 'tips and tricks' you can give out to aspiring writers. I think 101 is the limit. If you've read a few similar books, watched a dozen 'how-to-write' youtube videos, and spent hours looking through writer's memes, you'll have run across most of Robert's tips.

What I found most interesting about the book was the aesthetics. The ripped paper with typewriter font tips was just my style. Along with a few vertical titles and quotes and a different coloured page or two, made this book feel fresh and creative. That added to the tips, at least in my book.

Is this a must have book for writer's or aspiring writers? Sure. It does have lots (101 is a lot of tips) of valid and useful tips. It is at least a good book to read, just for the repetition of common writing ideas and the inspiration it lights in the heart of a writer.

Good job Robert. Sorry, I didn't know who you were.

The Fountainhead

- Ayn Rand -

This is one mammoth book, full of Rand's ideals, her arguments, and her manifesto on being selfish...and how that is the best thing for humanity. Is being selfish the best way to live?

What I found interesting were some of her ideas about being selfish. The main character, an architect named Rourk, only works for himself. He only does projects he is interested in. He will not be swayed by outside advice or influence. And, in the rare case when one of his buildings gets changed without his approval, he blows it up with dynamite. He is that extreme. He does not seek outside praise, and only looks inside himself for pride and self esteem.

Isn't that an interesting idea? Being so confident in yourself that you will go years without working, live in poverty, be looked upon as strange, because you think you are so good at designing a building that you could never co-operate or compromise with anyone else.

If you truly were the best architect there ever was, this would be a wonderful idea. But, in the book, it just comes across as being rude, anti-social, and almost lazy in a way (since Rourk rarely gets any work.) In real life, this kind of person would not get along well, not have a career, and not make an impact on the world. There has to be a little compromise, even if it is just in the beginning of a career. But, that's Rand for you, takes things to the extreme.

Did I like reading the book. Heck yes! The writing and story are great. I whipped through the six or seven hundred pages and didn't find any section boring or slow. Rand is an excellent writer. It's just hard to get past the extreme ideas of selfishness and uncompromising ideals that her characters hold. It makes them seem mean! They are constantly hurting each other, trying to ruin each other, and then holding themselves up as virtuous people for doing it. For example Dominique loves Roark so much that she uses her influence to stop anyone from hiring him. Her reason is that Roark's buildings are so great that nobody would appreciate them enough, so they don't deserve to have them.

Imagine you are an architect. Your girlfriend makes it her life's meaning to stop you from designing any buildings. Is that love or what? And the worst part is that Rourk understands her motives and approves of her actions. That's messed up. It's these kind of things that make the book hard to believe. It caused a bit of rise in me too, which may be why I couldn't put down the book.

It's like when I read her other novel, Atlas Shrugged. To me they both feel like the same kind of tone and ideas. I got the same kind of response while reading that book too. Rand sure doesn't shy away from some far right wing idea, which is why it's great to read. Give you some balance, some reasons into why others may not think the same way as you.

So, if you have a few days to spare. Like to read dense prose. And love extreme characters. Then Rand is for you.