Reading this reminded me of some of the parallels one can make between writing and jazz. Ask any jazz musician and they will say that there are tons of "rules"

Reading this reminded me of some of the parallels one can make between writing and jazz. Ask any jazz musician and they will say that there are tons of "rules" and "suggestions" for what to play over specific harmonic movements. This is important, vital stuff for a jazz musician. However, they will also say to forget all that and go beyond, because expression shouldn't be confined by rules. I've always thought you abide by the rules just long enough to spot their usefulness and then your throw them out the window and create something new.