Comments on: You Are Not the Exception

By: Jackman

Jackman — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 17:46:01 +0000

You should tell them when you had to do this all by hand! It will blow their minds! hahahaha! My Mom was going to University as a mature student. A couple years ago they told her she needed to type her essays, not do them in hand writing. She used a typewriter….she has now moved on to a computer!

By: Julie Hedlund

Julie Hedlund — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 20:52:22 +0000

I still break into a cold sweat thinking about bibliographies, but I would NEVER think to break the rules. I think rules are getting bent all over the place in the online world – spelling, grammar, you name it.

You don’t want to be noticed for the wrong reasons, as your post so eloquently reminds us.

By: Liz Hellebuyck

Liz Hellebuyck — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 01:02:00 +0000

I deal with this at my day job. I know how you feel. It can be frustrating when you know they only have to flip through a book a few times in order to do it right.

Also, Hi from a fellow crusader!

By: Arlee Bird

Arlee Bird — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:52:41 +0000

You are right about this. And I have been one of those writers who have tried to rebel against the rules. I learned many years ago that there are good reasons for rules in all areas of life. With word programs formatting shouldn’t be that be of a deal.

And don’t worry about the A to Z Challenge. If you are already doing the Crusade, the A to Z Challenge should just fall into place with it. Many Crusaders are doing both and you can too!

Lee
Tossing It Out and the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge 2011

By: Angela Scott

Angela Scott — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 05:15:22 +0000

We are not the exception. We’re not. I completly agree with you. There are rules put in place for a reason. “But famous so-and-so wrote a book that was a kazillion words long, so I should be able to too.” Nope. No you can’t. If the genre says 50,000 words for MG then that’s what you do. Not 140,000. “But I like my five page query letter.” Then expect a big fat no. But people can be so stubborn sometimes, thinking, as you said, that they’re the exception. So I say, go for it. If you don’t want to listen and do it the right way (per the rules so carefully set up), then face the consequences and don’t whine about it. Tell your students if they don’t want to follow the guide lines and the book that tells you what to do, expect an F. Don’t cry. Don’t whine.
Man, I sound mean in this post. Holy cow. I’m not a meaner I swear. I think this just hits home for me since I know a few writer friends of mine who think the rules don’t apply to them.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rant. Wow. I’ll stop now and go my merry way. Tra-la-la. (See I’m a happy person).

By: Regina Linton

Regina Linton — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 16:58:00 +0000

I do think it is unfortunate when others do not think they have anything left to learn and that they have all the knowledge they need. Fellow crusader and new follower saying Hello!

By: deniz

deniz — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 17:01:44 +0000

Oh, yay! I always loved teachers like you – can’t stand the ones that let students coast by and don’t take grades off for not following the rules of presentation. The rules are there for a reason

By: Susan Fields

Susan Fields — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 12:40:23 +0000

Hi fellow crusader!

That would drive me crazy, too! I guess it’s a lesson we all need to learn.

By: Michael Di Gesu

Michael Di Gesu — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 19:22:58 +0000

Hey, Fellow crusader.

I hopped over from the crusader’s list to introduce myself an follow.

It’s nice to meet you.

Tomorrow is our first challenge… It should be cool.

Michael

By: Becka (StickyNoteStory)

Becka (StickyNoteStory) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 17:31:23 +0000

As a student who was beat over the head with the rules of scientific writing for years on end I totally understand. The are rules for a reason. Obey the rules or don’t get published. Put your big-kid panties on and do it right.

Good luck with the students in this class!