Break the rules, but break them effectively.

Writers get told to follow the rules. Rules in this case being proven guidelines of what works and what doesn't for an unsuspecting reader. I've come to learn that they are rather helpful, especially for new writers. Once you are acquainted with them and have successfully written your book(s) applying the rules, you are ready to break them.
To be clear, I'm not talking about grammar like syntax or tense. If they are used wrongly, it could be a rather odd read, dialogue being the exception. If the character isn't a native English speaker, it should reflect, as well as when a character isn't as well educated.
No, I'm talking about the more advanced writing, about the author who tries to experiment with different ideas and styles. As many of you know, my short stories are in second person point of view, which many writers said is a big no no. I shrugged and let the public -- the readers -- decide. Not one complaint in over 4k sales.
Others will say head hopping should be avoided. Why? If done well, you won't even notice it. I know of a bloke who experiments with punctuation, or better the lack of it -- mainly the speech marks. That's brave and difficult to pull off. Haven't read the book yet, but will try a sample to see if it works for me. Readers have complained. A lot. Probably a sign that he didn't pull it off well enough. Or maybe they weren't open to it.
My opinion: if you break the rules, be consistent throughout the book. It should be easy to adapt to and made enjoyable. 
I had a conversation with one of my Twitter friends, who said he's a minimalist when using commas. When I read a sample of one of his books, the absence of commas before names in direct speech irritated me, so much, that I'm confident I wouldn't be able to read one of his books. Nothing to do with the quality, but I just hate this particular comma not being where it belongs. I know you can see from the sentence if it needs a comma or not. (Age old: 'Let's eat grandma' vs. 'Let's eat, grandma'), but if you use it in one case and not so in another, it would make an inconsistent use. To me, that is. But what if other readers think the same? Is it really worth it to compromise this little comma?
But if breaking the rules means being inconsistent, then it might be the wrong way of breaking them. Those readers who don't know that the author intentionally omitted them, will think s/he doesn't know any better and might dismiss the author as unprofessional.

What do you think as a reader, do you mind?
For authors: Did you break rules?
Why did you do it?
Did you receive complaints, praise?
Would you do it again?

Do you blog for readers or writers?

I recently asked on a readers' forum about their take on author websites/blogs, if they feel inclined to visit an author's site or not, what they expect from it and what puts them off.
The answers were mixed: most would visit a website if they liked a book and wanted to find out about other works, updates on upcoming novels, etc.
Personally, I remember to have looked at Cecilia Ahern's site as well as Stephenie Meyer's and hung on every word as to how they started to write, what inspired them and their feelings about writing in general. I read with interest/disgust about Stephenie Meyer's negative experiences with trusting the wrong people, who then went ahead and posted a huge excerpt of her work in progress, Midnight Sun, Edward's point of view, which, by the way, I find so much better than Twilight itself.

Now, of course, someone like Cecilia Ahern doesn't have to go out and promote her novels, she's one lucky woman who is published with the big six and has her books made into films. For those of you, who don't know her, she's the author behind the film PS. I love you. Her website serves one purpose: give readers information about her works, what she is working on at the moment, what will be out soon. I noticed the website has FAQs and a forum, meaning it became more interactive. Fans will be able to talk to her -- whether it's really her who answers or some poor intern at Harper Collins remains a secret, but fact is, that people come to her.

Most Indie authors don't have that privilege, they are nobody in the world of publishing, they don't have a big marketing budget and their marketing will mostly circle around other Indies, which is a bit of a problem. Indies have it twice as difficult; they compete against each other trying to reach readers and are therefore constantly in readers' faces, which often backfires. They are forced to let their writing speak for itself, but how to get your writing noticed so it can touch a reader's soul? How to make a blog/website interesting for a reader? If you're an Indie with two books, there's hardly much to say and the website will most probably not be updated for a long time. A blog about writing will probably attract more writers than readers, because readers don't care about the struggles an author has; they want to read and enjoy the ready product, and rightly so.

Not too long ago, I ranted about the 'like' my page attitute Indies have and I'm still sticking with it, because it's fake. I don't want anyone to visit my facebook page because we made a 'deal'. I wish for readers who enjoyed my books popping by to find out about updates. Not because they're forced to, but because they genuinly like my work. I think this can only be achieved if authors did more writing and less promoting, they'll have a bigger chance (if the quality is up to scratch) to be discovered by readers and recommended by word of mouth, which will lead to success and therefore to visiting 'fans'.