nothing in the rulebook

To quote early noughties cult TV show, Clone High, “There’s nothing in the rulebook that says a giraffe can’t play football”.

It’s a motto that inspired the founding of this website, and one that we hold true to this day. But why? We hear you ask.

At its core, this notion speaks to a profound truth about creativity: rules, as we commonly understand them, often exist to be questioned, broken, or outright disregarded in the pursuit of innovation. Creativity thrives not in the confines of structure but in the spaces where we allow imagination to roam free, unrestricted by the limitations imposed by convention. In today’s world, more than ever, we need these open spaces where innovation isn’t just encouraged, but celebrated.

We live in a time where the pressures of commercialisation, conformity, and market-driven success often weigh heavily on creators. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the only way to succeed is to follow the rules — to write what sells, to design what’s trendy, or to produce what pleases the masses. Yet, history shows us that the most groundbreaking ideas, the most memorable works of art, and the most enduring inventions have come from those who dared to do something different, something unexpected.

Take the surrealists, for example. Their bizarre, dreamlike paintings challenged traditional notions of art, offering instead a window into the subconscious. Or consider the writers of the Beat Generation, who eschewed the formal constraints of traditional prose in favor of something more fluid, more reflective of the chaotic, often messy nature of life itself. These creators did not ask for permission to deviate from the norm; they simply did it.

It’s in this spirit that we must foster an inclusive space for creativity. A space where the shy artist feels as welcome as the loud visionary. Where the poet experimenting with new forms of verse stands on equal ground with the filmmaker disrupting narrative structures. Inclusivity in creative spaces isn’t just about representation; it’s about acknowledging that the best ideas come from a diverse range of voices and perspectives. By inviting people from all walks of life into the fold, we broaden our understanding of what’s possible and enrich the creative landscape for everyone.

Innovation, in whatever form it takes, relies on the freedom to fail as much as it does the freedom to succeed. When we impose strict rules or confine creativity to narrow parameters, we create an environment where fear of failure outweighs the desire to experiment. The true essence of innovation lies not in avoiding mistakes, but in embracing the unknown, in venturing into uncharted territory with the knowledge that failure is not the end—it’s a necessary step toward discovery.

To create spaces where this kind of boundless creativity can thrive, we must first dismantle the invisible rules that govern our thinking. Ask yourself: What would happen if you set aside your assumptions about what’s “supposed” to be? What if you let your ideas run wild, unchained by the expectations of what your medium, your genre, or even your audience demands?

There’s nothing in the rulebook that says you can’t. Creativity knows no bounds, and in a world that often tries to box us in, we owe it to ourselves—and to future generations of creators—to keep it that way.

Help us break the rules

As ever here at Nothing in the Rulebook, we are keen to support you. You the creatives. You the writers. You the artists, the photographers, the filmmakers, theatre designers, comedians, essayists and everyone else. If you have an idea that needs to be shared. If you have something inside you that needs to get out. We want to hear it. Please do get in touch and submit your work for consideration via nothingintherulebook@nitrbcontributor