I love Vonnegut but those are not the best rules. I think he was just having a bit of fun, as can be seen from rule 8. But lots of famous writers have written short lists of rules. Someone—not me—should compile them and do a KO contest or poll
I've seen this list before, on multiple occasions. It's useful until it’s not. I see them more as guidelines rather than hard rules that must be adhered to.
The thing with rules is that there's always exceptions and what might fit one story/narrative, might not work for another.
Number 8 actually does resonant with me. I teach fiction writing and one of the things I find myself reiterating to students again and again: don’t make the facts of the story the whole story. Declare the facts up front so the story can be about much more than that.
I’m learning to play with #8. I think it was Hitchcock who talked about the difference between a bomb in a bag going off and the audience doesn’t know so it’s a shock, as opposed to the audience knowing which creates suspense.
Mentioning Flannery O’Connor adds useful context: it shows that even great writers often defy “rules,” reinforcing that guidelines in writing aren’t rigid formulas—and, really, they never should be. 🤍🪽
use the time of a total stranger (and/or my dear friends) in such a way that they will not feel their time was wasted – this is the golden rule for me – everything else flows (or doesn't) from this
I can’t remember when I first ran into Vonnegut’s “Rules,” but adopted them immediately as a pillar of my curriculum teaching high school English for 34!years. They propelled many wonderful discussions about reading and writing. And though I am happily retired now, I suddenly miss my career. Was talking just last night about the power of “give ‘em someone to root for.”
Did you see that there will be a film made of Player Piano?
https://deadline.com/2026/02/reed-morano-set-to-direct-film-adaptation-of-kurt-vonnegut-novel-player-piano-1236718957/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQBXvBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETJjWWhvUjk2aFBLTkd1Skkzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpz9fndJNDGtMgmaqf0cste3TJMeo3uiYGs6E1YrxdasmpDfQGe9pcx3fUxZ_aem_cQwLl2ENoPyFqUr0G8o4ng
I hadn’t - that’s amazing!
Vonnegut will always be one of my faves, and a few years ago i came across this book at the library. Learning about his method and what it was like to be one of his students was amazing and very insightful. Highly recommend, and a very quick read despite the thickness! https://www.sevenstories.com/books/4199-pity-the-reader?srsltid=AfmBOoprbZdsmxq3EFACAJswq137ts2HbHAE8nzgSSAdQdchBXztk3Un
Thanks for the tip, Carrie!
I love Vonnegut but those are not the best rules. I think he was just having a bit of fun, as can be seen from rule 8. But lots of famous writers have written short lists of rules. Someone—not me—should compile them and do a KO contest or poll
I've seen this list before, on multiple occasions. It's useful until it’s not. I see them more as guidelines rather than hard rules that must be adhered to.
The thing with rules is that there's always exceptions and what might fit one story/narrative, might not work for another.
these are pretty sensible rules and i break them almost all the time… maybe thats my problem…
Number 8 actually does resonant with me. I teach fiction writing and one of the things I find myself reiterating to students again and again: don’t make the facts of the story the whole story. Declare the facts up front so the story can be about much more than that.
I also have to share my favorite Vonnegut/H.G. Wells/GE story about the origin of ice-nine: https://cen.acs.org/articles/85/i23/Vonnegut-Met-H-G-Wells.html
I’m learning to play with #8. I think it was Hitchcock who talked about the difference between a bomb in a bag going off and the audience doesn’t know so it’s a shock, as opposed to the audience knowing which creates suspense.
Mentioning Flannery O’Connor adds useful context: it shows that even great writers often defy “rules,” reinforcing that guidelines in writing aren’t rigid formulas—and, really, they never should be. 🤍🪽
use the time of a total stranger (and/or my dear friends) in such a way that they will not feel their time was wasted – this is the golden rule for me – everything else flows (or doesn't) from this
I can’t remember when I first ran into Vonnegut’s “Rules,” but adopted them immediately as a pillar of my curriculum teaching high school English for 34!years. They propelled many wonderful discussions about reading and writing. And though I am happily retired now, I suddenly miss my career. Was talking just last night about the power of “give ‘em someone to root for.”
I'm glad you said that about number 8, as I was thinking the same thing! Numbers 1 and 7 are golden, though.