The No Rules Handbook for Writers by Lisa Goldman

Lisa Goldman's book immediately presents a dichotomy: it is a rulebook about breaking the rules – a meta-rulebook, if you will. In over 200 pages, she lays out 40 rules of creative writing – often clichéd phrases tossed around in workshops – and spends a chapter deconstructing each, to come to a rule-breaking conclusion.

It is clear from the offset that Goldman has a deep understanding of the craft, not just in a practical sense, but critically and creatively too. She digs deep into the ways people write, and the uniqueness of each writer's technique. Her book is also timeless; though published in 2012, the references are as relevant as ever.

It is however also wishy-washy (‘be true to the moment’) and vague (‘write what you want to read’), but it does touch on some undeniably important points, and presents solid examples of writers who have broken rules and found success. There are some suitably quotable lines too; ‘write to discover what you don't know yet’ is an excellent counter to ‘write what you know’.

Ultimately, I didn't necessarily feel I learned anything new. Interestingly, for the novice, rules can provide structure or a springboard, although it would be a disservice to suggest that Goldman does not herself appear aware of this.

I would suggest this as a starting point for an intrepid playwright at A level, or a teacher setting out to write – but with the recommendation that their craft will be personal; not even ‘rule-breaking’ may help in discovering it. The joy (and agony) in writing is that no one size fits all.