Erase it.

I think that publishing professionals sometimes forget the incredible abilities of readers to start from scratch when they open the pages of a novel. Perhaps they forget that readers can set up their imaginations to go through the thrill ride of a new story. Now I will concede it's possible an exception could be made for the die-hard romance readers, but I believe even they can open up their reasonable expectations within the formula if something on those pages takes them away to a fresh experience. And I do understand the rigid demands often made by some very vocal Christian fiction readers.

My opinion rests on the vast creative spirits of writers who strive to do something a bit innovative, slightly different, while still keeping somewhat within the borders of their preferred genres and the general accepted norms of story structure. I can tell you this from years and years of reading fiction: it's a thrill to read something that stretches those formulas when well written and well told.

My rebel nature spikes at the absolutes of what is and isn't "acceptable" in fiction writing. From no-no adverbs to the distaste of italics, I close off when I hear instructions that make these things a writing taboo. I know lots and lots of readers besides my rebellious reader/writer self who could care less about those restrictions if they like the characters and the story's good. And, honestly, some readers don't notice or care if a novel is "written well" if the author can tell a good story.

In a perfect publishing world the professionals would erase every expectation with each new submission and start from a place that guarantees they will not keep the same old demands and "rules". Allow the authors the liberty of creation and the readers a chance to experience something that doesn't adhere to a strict formula but leads them to a place they haven't been before.

Father, help each one of us who writes to go with you to the ends of creativity and to learn from you above all others. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.