batgirl
09-19-2006, 02:43 AM
Is there a name for the body of dubious lore that hopeful and beginning writers pass around to each other? You know, like advising each other to use Poor Man's Copyright, or that it's vital to have your work Professionally Edited before submitting, or that other people may Steal Your Ideas?
I'm not meaning to sneer or slam - everyone who spreads these ideas honestly believes them and does so in the hopes of helping others. It's just that I need a term to describe this folklore, so I can tag new examples as I run across them.
Is there a phrase or word already in use?
Secondarily, would the passing on of slightly garbled writing advice relating directly to style (a recent example--not on AW--was a writer told to never use the word 'somehow', after using it in a character's thoughts: 'somehow she would get revenge') come under the same heading, or should it get its own designation?
-Barbara
I'm not meaning to sneer or slam - everyone who spreads these ideas honestly believes them and does so in the hopes of helping others. It's just that I need a term to describe this folklore, so I can tag new examples as I run across them.
Is there a phrase or word already in use?
Secondarily, would the passing on of slightly garbled writing advice relating directly to style (a recent example--not on AW--was a writer told to never use the word 'somehow', after using it in a character's thoughts: 'somehow she would get revenge') come under the same heading, or should it get its own designation?
-Barbara