Style, style,.. aehm STYLE?

By Lifeline · Jun 4, 2016 · 496 · 6
  1. I think I need to rant again. This one has been brewing for a long time, and guess what? I haven't found a solution.

    So the question here is, can I be so blind to myself that, even after months and months of continuous writing I can't pinpoint this thing which is called 'style'? Looking back over my work I can definitely see that I have a specific way of bonding words together. Sentence-constructs, favourite phrases, usages of micro-tension,
    I express myself in a certain way.

    But I can't seem to distinguish the way I use words from the way other writers would. And I can't say if that bothers me or not. I suspect so, because I am writing here in this blog. *snort* A trifle inconsistent, I'll grant.

    When I read another work, written by another person it doesn't feel strange at all (assuming that the general craft is good). Just natural. Completely the same as when I look over my own writing. Only when other people comment on it do I get an inkling that my style - apparently - is not everyone's beer to drink so to speak.

    So, if I can't see it, can't define what makes my own style my own, how the heck will I ever be able to see its flaws in advance? It is fine to wait for comments and amend after the fact of writing but I would like to pay attention to specific issues while writing in the first place.

    Oh well, I suspect I am rambling right now. Curtesy of a whole day without WF, I missed you guys! You made me edit/rewrite/write almost continuously since morning and my brain is a bit fried by now.

    Caden signing off this blog for now. Sorry for the rumble in the jungle :)
    LinnyV and Oscar Leigh like this.

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  1. Wreybies
    Hmmm.... Style....

    I don't have a clever train of thought for this one, because this is what comes after one has a good grasp of what one is doing. When you know your tools, then you have to decide what you want to do with them, the line you want to create, the silhouette. And this, in the end, answers to taste, for which there is no accounting. A couple of my favorite writers have massively distinct styles in their writing, and it's what causes some to worship them and others to deplore them. Samuel R. Delany, for instance, is an an absolute genius wordsmith and I would happily set up a temple to his name were I that sort of person, but it took me some time to get into his work because his rhythm and his turn of phrase is sufficiently unusual that you will stumble if you don't take your time and get your sea legs under you, so to speak. China Miéville is another. He's not exactly the demigod that Delany is, but his baroque descriptions and arcane references can also lead the reader down a bumpy path if ill prepared. Style is a leap of faith and a risk and a chance. It's what you do after your apprenticeship is done and you try to make your mark. You may strike the mark; you may not, but you will certainly have to accept that you won't hit the mark for all.

    P.S. If you ever want a crit from me in private, I'd be more than happy. :)
    Wreybies, Jun 4, 2016
      LinnyV, Oscar Leigh and Lifeline like this.
  2. Lifeline
    I just peeked into Delany, and Mieville I already knew. I definitely see what you mean with Delany ;) if I ever suffer from lack of reading I will dive right in. Just not now, please, I have enough on my plate.

    At the moment all is instinct for me. I am not experienced enough to be tempted in meddling with my instinctive voice, I just want to get fluent and clear in this natural way. Later I can start amending for specific effects which may or may not be missing now, but that is a question for another day.

    I'll drop you a PM :)
    Lifeline, Jun 4, 2016
  3. Lifeline
    @LinnyV : I don't think it's a question of being scared or lazy. I think, for young and inexperienced writers as we are (I sure am!) that it is flat out impossible to judge. We are not able to see the difference between our own writing and others, only when the style is massively different.

    Honestly, I wouldn't mind if not for the fact that I want to get better, fast. *snort* I am too impatient, but getting better is not something I can point a gun to and say "Or else." It just is frustrating to not see areas where I need to improve, to not being able to judge quality of own's work.

    I too have a lot of favourite authors, and there are some scenes written by them which I know near verbatim. Weird thing is, when I compare I like my own writing better. So which is it? Hubris or inexperience? I vote for inexperience ;)
    Lifeline, Jun 6, 2016
      LinnyV likes this.
  4. Lifeline
    @LinnyV :

    Let me tell you a little something Lady, something my life has taught me. Cold waters will not get less cold. If I don't jump in I will hesitate at the edge and jitter something awful.

    I am frightened too, more than I usually let on. A healthy dose of hesitation is sometimes called for, but.. *points to the above*.. when it drags on too long it will not get better, only worse.

    Self-pity doesn't come upon it at all. I know that I am not perfect, far from it. But I also know that I can get better. Yeah the truth hurts sometimes, but I guess for me it is a question of what is more important. My nerves, or that I want to write good? I vote for 'good writing', just as soon as may be.

    What's it for you? :) *stares challengingly*
    Lifeline, Jun 9, 2016
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