Jack Kerouac’s Rules For Writing
Jack Kerouac has become one of America’s most famous and wide-read authors. Thanks to his writing style of ‘spontaneous prose’ and being one of the central figures of the Beat Movement, Kerouac has become an inspiration for many writers. Especially those wishing to write something with the same electric prose and cultural significance of On The Road or The Dharma Bums.
Luckily for us, Kerouac left behind his rules for writing, which he called ‘Belief and Technique for Modern Prose.’ At times the rules are obscure and strange, and littered with spelling oddities, but they exist as a road map for Kerouac’s writing practice. Read on to learn his writing rules and an attempt at interpreting the sometimes vague statements.
Scribbled secret notebooks, and wild typewritten pages, for yr own joy
I love this rule and have it written down everything. Here, Kerouac encourages writers to write freely and with abandon. That personal enjoyment for writing is the most important thing. Writing for ourselves first, rather than for an audience, allows us to write more authentically.
Submissive to everything, open, listening
Inspiration has a habit of arriving when we least expect it to. By being open to the world around us, we can find inspiration in mundane place, from a snippet of overheard conversation while waiting in line for coffee, or in a story we hear from some obscure figure in history. Being open to these signs, and exploring them when they arrive, is key to writing.
Try never get drunk outside yr own house
This rule suggests that intoxication might hinder the writing process and recommends a controlled environment for such experiences. An odd rule coming from someone who belonged to the notorious Beat Generation with their drugs and alcohol habits.
Be in love with yr life
Just as rule two taught that we can find inspiration in the world around this, Kerouac also tells us to find inspiration in our own stories and experiences. Afterall, his most famous and enduring work, On The Road, is a ficitonalised account of his own travels across America.
Something that you feel will find its own form
Kerouac popularised ‘spontaneous prose,’ a form of stream-of-consciousness writing where stylistic rules went out the window. This rule encourages writers to trust the natural flow of creativity and for our words to take their own shape, even and especially if they don’t fit into one specific box of expression.
Be crazy dumbsaint of the mind
Writers should embrace a free and uninhibited mindset, encouraging unfiltered and wild thinking, and let that bleed into our writing, as Kerouac did.
Blow as deep as you want to blow
Here, Kerouac encourages the writer to explore the depths of our own imagination without limitations.
Write what you want bottomless from bottom of the mind
Again, Kerouac tells us to write without restraint, allowing inspiration and ideas to emerge from deep within the subconscious.
The unspeakable visions of the individual
Continuing a theme of exploring our own mind and life’s experiences through writing, Kerouac want us to put to paper what we might have held off writing about before because it is not neat or pretty or conventional, but that is real to us.
No time for poetry but exactly what is
In ‘spontaneous prose’ and the pace with which he wrote, Kerouac had little time for flowery language and urges us to also focus on capturing what is immediately before us, in this moment, rather than getting caught up in trying to find a perfect image of metaphor. Writing in blunt terms what something is, often has the effect of cutting more deeply to the core of an issue, than when using flowery language (though image and metaphor definitely still have their place!).
Visionary tics shivering in the chest
Here, we are encouraged to pay particular attention to the visceral and emotional aspects of experience that can be translated into writing. Whether that’s how we feel in a moment of delight, fear or indifference; translate those feelings into words as best you can.
In tranced fixation dreaming upon object before you
Kerouac tells us to focus deeply on a subject, allowing the mind to enter a trance-like state for creative exploration, to meditate through writing on a particular moment, experience or person.
Remove literary, grammatical and syntactical inhibition
Instead of being bogged down by which punctuation to use (looking at you, semi-colon), let go of writing rules and structures we are taught in the classroom and allow writing to pour from you without restraint.
Like Proust be an old teahead of time
An obscure reference to Marcel Proust, suggesting an appreciation for the subtleties and complexities of time and experience.
Telling the true story of the world in interior monolog
Kerouac advocates for an introspective and genuine exploration of the world through internal dialogue. Try putting all our thoughts on to paper, stream-of-consciousness style.
The jewel centre of interest is the eye within the eye
This highlights the importance of finding the core and essence of a story or idea, whether that’s a theme or core lesson. For example, a core theme in On The Road is ultimately having to move on from unreliable and self-serving people, as Sal leaves Dean behind him.
Write in recollection and amazement for yourself
Write down your own story, your own memories. Reflect on past experiences with a sense of wonder and amazement.
Work from pithy middle eye out, swimming in language sea
This one’s a tough one to figure out, but may suggest working from a deep, central perspective or character view point, and letting the story unfold how it wants to.
Accept loss forever
Kerouac encourages embracing the inevitability of loss and using it as a source of inspiration. On The Road famously starts with Sal feeling lost after a divorce, and this leads him to many new, interesting characters and travels.
Believe in the holy contour of life
Rule 20 encourages us to see life as sacred and find inspiration in its natural, divine shape.
Struggle to sketch the flow that already exists intact in mind
Through ‘spontaneous prose’ or stream-of-consciousness writing, Kerouac wants the writer to capture the inner stream of thoughts intact. To write down exactly what flows through the mind. You’ll see this has been a common theme throughout his rules: writing what is in the mind, exactly as it is, without stopping to worry about punctuation or stylistic choices. He believed a more authentic voice would come through this way.
Don’t think of words when you stop but to see picture better
Similar to the above and to other rules, avoid over thinking about what you are writing, let it be written down exactly as it comes to you, and worry about literary rules and writing conventions later.
Keep track of every day the date emblazoned in yr morning
This rule could come down to simply keeping a journal, something writers have long encourages novices to do. Not only will it allow you to practice your writing daily in a way that is just for you, calling back to rule one, it may provide inspiration in the everyday mundane life.
No fear or shame in the dignity of yr experience, language & knowledge
Your life experiences are valid and worthy of being told, is what this rule boils down to. Kerouac encourages the writer to be unapologetic and proud of their unique experiences, language, and knowledge.
Write for the world to read and see yr exact pictures of it
Don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences with the world, offering a vivid portrayal of your life or ideas.
Bookmovie is the movie in words, the visual American form
An other odd one to pin down a meaning of. But might mean viewing writing as a visual and cinematic art form, capturing the essence of the American experience, or the essence of whichever country or culture you come from. Your words will create a ‘movie’ in your readers head. Make sure its a clear image they are getting.
In praise of Character in the Bleak inhuman Loneliness
Kerouac wants us to appreciate the strength of character, especially in challenging and lonely circumstances, which others may find comfort in by knowing their experience is also many others experience.
Composing wild, undisciplined, pure, coming in from under, crazier the better
Hearkening back to rule one, we should write freely and without restarint, giving space to our wild and crazy ideas, simply because they spark joy.
You’re a Genius all the time
Kerouac wants to instill confidence in us writer, reminding us of the innate genius in the act of creation. Believe in yourself, he seems to say, and that what you’re writing is worth telling.
Writer-Director of Earthly movies Sponsored & Angeled in Heaven
Kerouac’s final rule links to rule 26, suggesting the writer as both the creator and director of their own stories, with inspiration coming from heavenly sources.
Jack Kerouac's rules for writing may seem unconventional, but they offer a unique perspective on the creative process. By encouraging writers to write from a place of joy and self-expression, embrace openness and listening, and write with freedom and abandon, Kerouac's rules offer a guide to writing that is both spontaneous and deeply personal. By honoring the individual experience and finding inspiration in the world around us, writers can create work that is truly authentic and original. What do you think of Kerouac's rules?
If you’re interesting in what some other writers have to say about writing, you might enjoy 25 Quotes From Famous Writers.
