I've been watching some sparring going on in one of my linkedin groups recently.  The subject has been about writing.  In the blue corner, creative writing; in the red corner, the need to respect and adhere to garmmatical rules.  I think the war is a phony one.  Being in command of basic grammar is essential if creative writing is to take place.  Of course, you might break all the rules.  Why not?  But it's so much better if you know what the rules are in the first place.  Picasso, for instance, doesn't crash through all the leading art conventions by accident.  At least, you wouldn't think this if you've ever looked through his 'cahiers' - his workbooks - which show you just how much he planned those masterpieces that look so free and spontaneous.  In terms of rule-following and creativity, what's true for painting is true for creative writing.