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

[ibythetide.livejournal.com]

There was a time when I was an avid reader and could discern many a writer by their style. Popslash, baby, a good time was certainly had by all. I notice pacing and phrasing more and more in writing. I could even go as far as saying those to things are major "tone" setters that help me identify writers.

I'm still struggling with the next part so I reserve the right to have a clarifying comment once I think about the question some more. Right now, after admitting I'm personally uncomfortable with my own style, I would say that having a recognizable style is not as important to me as having/executing an idea. I've read plenty of excellent prose that had no substance to it.

Of course, having both would be best.

[foxmonkey.livejournal.com]

I'm still struggling with the next part so I reserve the right to have a clarifying comment once I think about the question some more.

Certainly! I'm still struggling with it myself, which is why I'm asking everyone else their thoughts. :-) Once you've got it worked out, do share!


Right now, after admitting I'm personally uncomfortable with my own style, I would say that having a recognizable style is not as important to me as having/executing an idea. I've read plenty of excellent prose that had no substance to it.

Of course, having both would be best.

Yes! That leads to a future question I had planned.

After reading a ton of basically "faceless" stories, I'd like to think that my own stuff would be recognizable as mine. Having both *would* be best, the ability to successfully execute an idea - with substance! - that someone would point to and say, "Wow, X must have written that!"