If you’re like most people, your 8th grade English teacher sits silently watching you while you write.

She doesn’t say anything. She just watches. Reminding you that a sentence can’t begin with an “and.” Reminding you verbs have to agree. That you ain’t supposed to use “ain’t.”

You get the picture. Except our long suffering English teacher doesn’t have to say anything. Because you say to yourself that you shouldn’t do this or that. That you need to carefully censor and edit what you say. That you should never write when you’re excited, because the writing won’t be serious enough. Again, you get the picture.

If you’re writing a Declaration of Independence, then weigh your words. If not, just write.

Because some of the best writing is done by writers who don’t always use proper grammar. Who write when they’re excited about something.

And you know what? These people often write crisp, exciting, persuasive stuff. Stuff people like to read. Stuff that makes readers do something. And that’s the best kind.

I’ve mentioned Mark Twain before. Twain had what we can charitably call money problems. In other words, he routinely spent more than he brought in. And he brought in a lot. And when that lot of money ran low, Twain would write a book to get some cash coming in.

And Twain churned out a lot of stuff. Book after book after book. And some of it was, well, just OK. A lot of it was good. And a few of his books are spectacular.

Because Mark Twain wrote the way people talk. And he revolutionized American literature. Go to some stuff only a few decades older than Twain. I hate to pick on it but try The Last Of The Mohicans. Or Billy Budd. Fine literature, I’m sure, but I can virtually guarantee that you would read neither of them for pleasure. Because they’re dull. Completely, sleep-inducing dull.

And then try, say, Tom Sawyer. Fun reading, character you’d like to hang with – and a great story.

What’s your takeaway from this?

When you write, be Mark Twain. Oh, if you’re a lawyer writing a brief for the Supreme Court, then imitate The Last Of The Mohicans. But if you’re not, let your writing fly. Turn loose your inner storyteller, and tell a story.

I’m sure your English teacher was a good lady. But it’s time for her to retire. She needs to be out on a cruise ship or spending time with grandchildren or climbing a mountain.

It’s not 1992 any more. Writing has changed. Get with the times. Write like you mean it. Like you’re having a good time. Your readers will know, and whatever you’re trying to do with your writing – well, you’ll accomplish more of it. And that’s why you’re writing, right?