When it comes to writing and art in general, there are no rules that bind creativity. Of course, guidelines and methods do exist for writing to make senseFor example, grammar can be viewed as a set of rules for literature.. Sometimes, rules are in place to prevent repeated mistakes and provide a common ground for everyone.

But when it comes to creation itself, the writer is free to do whatever they want without any restrictions. And despite this freedom, there are elements that remain consistent across all story structure. Certain notions always emerge that could be considered rules:

1. A story always has a beginning and an end.
The beginning always introduces the main idea, and the end delivers the payoff of that idea. Together, they create a direction that guides the author during their writing.

2. A story progresses towards the end.
The more a story progresses, the closer it should come to the end. The story may deviate from the main plot with exposition or other subplots, but the story’s direction must always aim towards wrapping up the core idea and delivering a conclusion without any loose ends.

3. A story is divided into zones and milestones.
As a story becomes more interesting, it also becomes longer and more complex. As such, a story is separated into distinct zones. Milestones like chapters, acts, or key events ensure the separation and progression of each zone.

Conclusion
These rare but crucial guidelines serve as the foundation for writing a story. While they aren’t rules per se, ignoring them can result in an incoherent mess. On the other hand, adhering to these principles can greatly assist the writer by creating a structure that will support the story.