There are traditions, things that need to be done a certain way. Even if Grandma isn't exactly sure why things need to be done that way anymore.There is a tried and true recipe. There's a reason everyone raves about Grandma's cookies.
That being said, if you learn the traditions, if you learn the recipes, if you know them as well as Grandma....then you can start substituting. You can play because you understand the fundamentals.
I mean, not even Grandma's going to bemoan you for swapping the milk in the icing for Bailey's. It's still creamy, still does the job of wetting the icing. But everyone likes a kick of alcohol (even as infinitesimal as in a bit of icing) on Christmas when dealing with family.*
* To clarify, I don't need to get drunk in order to deal with my family. I like them. I'm just...stereotyping.
Also, my Grandma isn't as rigid as this may make her sound. She's cool. And I have high standards, in case you're wondering. If you met my Grandparents, you'd love them. Everyone does.
Are you ready to start playing with the rules of writing? Do you?
I'm sorry, what did you say? I was too busy staring at the cookies ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou always have great analogies!
Ha! I just made frosted sugar cookies too. And I've been eating them non-stop...
ReplyDeleteSomebody help me.
(Oh! Check out my contest!)
Yum! Love cookies! I don't think I'm quite ready to start playing with the rules . . . baking OR writing. :)
ReplyDeleteI love taking recipes and tweaking them to make them my own. As long as I don't mess with the physics of baking, I can't go too wrong. =o)
ReplyDeleteAs for the rules of writing, Neil Gaiman said it best: "Write your story as it needs to be written. Write it honestly, and tell it as best you can. I'm not sure that there are any other rules. Not ones that matter."
wait!!!
ReplyDeletethere are rules!?!?!
oh crud.
Oh gosh. Playing with the rules? You're making me jittery.
ReplyDeleteAlright, time for some Christmas baking! Your grandmother sounds awesome--I love this analogy!
ReplyDeleteGrandparents are the coolest, but don't let anyone know I said that, lol.
ReplyDeleteRules? I write fiction, and fantasy at that. No need for rules, lol. :)
Cookies AND Writing? Um, yes! Love the analogy.
ReplyDeleteOh, this was great! Learn from a master and then tweak it to make it your own! Perfect! I miss my grandma... I have a couple of her recipes though, and this time of year they are a great way to remember... maybe a little grandma styled short story, too...
ReplyDeleteI was playing with it before I even knew I was making cookies!
ReplyDeleteOooooh, those look yummy! I loved your analogy...made me hungry though..:)
ReplyDeleteThose cookies look way, way too good!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea! I'll have to try swapping out the milk for Bailey's for the icing!
ReplyDeletemELISSA - Swapping certain ingredients is fun. I agree as well. LOL.
ReplyDeleteA little bit of alcohol is good with writing too...
ReplyDeleteBEST analogy ever!! I love this. And cookies. Win win.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to the analogy, too. Mmmmm...
ReplyDeleteIf, by "ready", you mean have I spent years learning all the rules first, the answer is emphatically "no".
But that doesn't stop me playing anyway!
It never occurred to me to make such a subsititution. Bailey's instead of milk! Thinking of OTHER reciples this swap could work on, too!
ReplyDeleteYES! I think playing with the rules is a good thing- if it works for your story, than it should be done. We shouldn't worry too much about the "rules" and just go with it. Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteAnd btw- i'm horrible at modigying recipes...I always screw them up if I play with them. Hopefully that's not an analogy for my own writing lol!
where is the picture of the Chessire cat cookie? It was brilliant! Also, why did I not get any of those cookies? hmmm? You should make them again.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha...you are brilliant! Baileys instead of milk? *sigh* I think I'm in heaven! :-)
ReplyDeleteVery nice metaphor :) And those cookies look scrumptious. I'm def trying to put some baileys in the icing this year, great tip! haha. But really, you got it right with mastering the fundamentals before experimenting and substituting! Grandma would be proud!
ReplyDeleteAnybody who can link cookies to writing has my immediate attention. Nom.
ReplyDelete...you don't need to get drunk in order to deal with family...two thirds of us are currently envious of you:)
ReplyDeleteEL
I don't know any rules, Melissa, LOL. I'm not baking cookies...but will be baking iced banana cake! :)
ReplyDeleteTHey look like my cookies! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful Xmas!! All the best!