Writing and style.

[foxmonkey]

I've wondered about this one a lot over the years. Today's question:

Style. Are there writers you can pick out by style alone? If so, what is it that you recognize? If you're a writer, is having a recognizable style important to you? Why or why not?

Comments

[silveryscrape.livejournal.com]

Well, I always think I can identify sesa authors, for example, but I'm always wrong. Still I feel I could identify your style, and the styles of some other authors in popslash, past and present - wearemany, lesasoja, callmesandy. It's a matter of style, yes, and word choice, sentence length, dialogue... all those things mentioned here already, but also every author has that extra something, like their own line, to use an art metaphor. Like, callmesandy has lots of long sentences with fewer commas, and she seems to be really concerned with what her characters learn from their experiences. Lesa's stories have this massive presence of everything not being said. Your characters, JC and Justin particularly, have this strength about them, maturity, maybe? Affection. And I know they're going to be all right. Tiffany Rawlins does this thing where she uses small details to suggest larger themes, like all in the course of a single sentence, so her statements have this really meaningful air about them. And Torch's absolute calm and beautiful control of the language is a favorite.

What's important to me as a writer is to find my own way of writing, grow comfortable with the things I want to say and how I want to say them. It's not so much important that I'm known for it. I just think it's easier to write if you have that kind of ease where you're not agonizing over every word, every sentence... well, okay, I do, but that's what I do. I'm okay with that now. :)

Awesome questions!

[foxmonkey.livejournal.com]

Torch's absolute calm and beautiful control of the language is a favorite.

The first story of hers I ever read was called...I want to say 'Ghost'? I don't think that's right...anyway, it was an X-Files fic, and as you mention above, just a beautifully written piece. I was *stunned* to learn that English isn't her first language. She's amazing. And it's not fair. ;-)

I just think it's easier to write if you have that kind of ease where you're not agonizing over every word, every sentence... well, okay, I do, but that's what I do. I'm okay with that now. :)

I knew someone who wrote that way. She started with an outline, and every sentence was perfectly crafted. I know she told me once that she didn't move on until each sentence was edited to perfection, but she must have been exaggerating. I don't see how anyone could *possibly* write that way. I do know that if she got stuck she did NOT move forward until she'd worked out the stuck bit. Me, I keep going and come back to the sticky patch with fresh eyes.

Now, when I do work on a sticky bit it may be for an hour or so, or hours, but to not move forward *at all* until that's worked out??? YEEKS! I'd still be on the second part of Chasez Lake if I wrote that way. ;-)

Your characters, JC and Justin particularly, have this strength about them, maturity, maybe? Affection.

Thank you! I want them to always be happy and loved. :-)

[silveryscrape.livejournal.com]

I'd still be on the second part of Chasez Lake if I wrote that way.

That would most definitely not be okay. Sure you're not spending too much time editing pt 5? ;)

[Brief CL break. Heart.]

Okay, the perfection of each word and phrase, that would drive me bonkers. Plus, that shuts down the possibilities for what can come after, although admittedly I say that as someone who doesn't write from an overly detailed outline. Like, I know where I want to start, and I have an idea of a few places I want to hit along the way, and sooner or later the end occurs to me... the polishing of words and phrases usually shows up while my subconscious is busy working on the story, and I can't just stop and sit there while it does its thing. Also, sometimes finding the right words shows me a tone or direction I didn't realize until I thought about why they were "right."

Eh, otoh I don't often write long. Maddening. :P