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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Berandor" data-source="post: 3116057" data-attributes="member: 225">By "correct" I mean not to use a mixed metaphor, or to use one that doesn't actually mean what you're trying to say. Just like using big words doesn't automatically make you sound smart if you don't know what they mean.As for the rest (I don't like to quote single sentences and address them): Obviously, every rule has its exceptions, and breaking a rule can be done to great effect. There's a difference, however, between breaking a rule on purpose and not even knowing there's a rule.Secondly, the reason why there are many different elements that all come together to constitute quality is because sometimes certain elements aren't important in the context of a story. So if you purposely make your characters into cardboard stereotypes, then I'd hope there are other qualities that either mask this decision or even work because of it. You have to look at the whole. For example (I think it's been said before), Lovecraft's use of dialogue was inept, but his stories nevertheless work. On the other hand, a lot of the fantasy fiction I read is badly written, plotted, designed, but a few I enjoyed despite it all, and with others I enjoyed them because of it. Romance novels are in an overwhelming majority really awful and derivative – but they sell extremely well, because their audience doesn't demand Mme Bovary. That's not bad, or evil, or anything – but the books are badly written nonetheless. It's just not important.</blockquote>

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