Than it's a matter of preference. Personally, I think the story sometimes need to change speed and flow. Sometimes it needs to cascade. Or take sharp turns. Or suddenly stop dead, look on itself and think "Wow, I'm a story!" and then continue galloping. But I completely disagree that it's an anachronism. Archaic forms were given new life and the "right of citizenship" in postmodernism. To ignore this completely in contemporary writing is...well... okey, I agree with you, but you should still recognize it and try to incorporate it. OP asked if it is "completely unacceptable to use this type of writing style in books any more?" And I'm thinking - style is one thing, literary device is another. The literary device referred to as "talking to the readers" or "breaking the forth wall" is archaic, but not an anachronism. If you learn how to make it sound and function in a contemporary fiction, then it is not only acceptable but something to look up to! @EdFromNY Never read "Cecilia", but music I found on youtube was ok
Yes, Stephen King used it on one chapter deep into Under the Dome, which is one of his absolute worst novels (and that is saying something!) Or postmortem writers... If you are a currently unpublished writer, the only thing you will accomplish by trying to "set new writing trends" is to remain unpublished. Save the breaking of the mold for after you have paid your dues and make a name for yourself.
That makes sense... in a way. But does this mean the only way to make a breakthrough is to write a stylistically generic text, possibly in a currently popular genre, staying as far away from any "un-trendy" stuff? Well, what would you call contemporary writing? "literarymarketism"?
Yes, and there are lots of tools the writer can use to accomplish this - scene changes, chapter changes, lengthening sentences, shortening sentences, jarring occurrences...just to name a few. See above. Sorry, I've been staring at that for 20 minutes, and I cannot for the life of me figure out what it means. Maybe because it doesn't actually mean anything?
Sadly that's the case. And almost all boring writing I've read here, and everywhere else, falls into that description. It does mean something, that a story needs to stop for a moment to reflect on it's own existence, but I disagree with the point. I hate breaking the pace and flow of a story for self-realization. I can't fathom the purpose. Why remind people they are just reading a book when you've already drawn them in? Or maybe I don't get what it means either.
Forget "trendy." Trendy may impress your high school English teacher. and a few friends, but it's not what sells manuscripts. What sells manuscripts is solid writing with good attention to detail and clarity. What sells manuscripts is interesting characters with whom readers can relate, in situations the readers can feel and care about. Gimmicks and trends are as transparent and cheap as plexiglass jewelry.
Yeah, and you have the breaking of the forth wall as another formal tool. That's it, no more-no less: another formal tool. You don't like, I don't love it, but it's in no way a bad thing per se. I was meaning to be cynical - should've used an emoticon... But again, even if you don't like it doesn't mean it is a sure sign of bad writing (as many tend to believe). That...makes me... feel incredibly sad for the "nation of free". Does that mean there are no more independent publishers in the States? Or anyone willing to take the risk?
But having all this AND breaking a forth wall (in a meaningful, thought through, contemporary way) anywhere in the text is going to get you 2,134 rejection letters?
Oops! Wow, guys, I didn't expect my question to turn into an argument! This makes me realise that opinions are most definitely split regarding this issue, but through reading your helpful (if a little hostile ) comments I have basically answered the question myself: if I'm honest, talking to the reader in my novel does seem a little unnecessary, especially as I have a single sentence that is repeated throughout the entire novel, meaning that will pobably be enough, anyway. Still, for anyone who's interested, it's my narrator that is speaking to the audience, and not the main character - a bit like the beginning of Romeo and Juliet. But thanks for everyone's input, although you're all welcome to keep on adding to the thread! Thanks!
Interesting questions. I often find myself, horribly if I may add, absorbing the style of other authors, unconsciously doing them an injustice while I write. But lately, for me, it hasn't been so much as trying to filter the influences, as it's been allowing them their space in my journey. I've heard many authors, and Bradbury immediately comes to mind, describe imitation, whether direct or indirect, and how it's the path many writers walk to find their voice. You get a feel for the way they structure sentences, punctuate--a feel for the way their words and thoughts and images flow, how their mind works and processes things, the more you read them. I think filtering these kinds of things, at least in the beginning, simply impedes your growth as a writer. I've also learned recently, the more I write every day, the more I write for the sake of writing in order to create a rhythm, a groove, something I can climb into and call home, allows my own writing to come out naturally and my influences no longer seem to crop up directly, or maybe I'm just no longer aware of them. I don't know. What I do know, however, is the words feel more real, feel more like my own, than anything else, and if I need to, if I'm having trouble structuring a paragraph of action, or a flashback, or how to pace description in a snappy beginning, how to lengthen and shorten my narration, to punctuate my dialogue, what-have-you, I look at those authors who have moved me in someway, and welcome their influence. Why would you not want their influence? Haven't you ever read something that's moved you in such a way you cannot speak for a few long minutes? Or moved you to tears, simply because of the way the sentence flows, regardless of the emotions the words themselves evoked? How about an instance where you began laughing uncontrollably, followed by a serious confusion, a terrible confusion, for you could not pinpoint where the joy came from? These are the same feelings I wish to touch my reader with, the same experiences I want them to have. And at this point in my journey, I have no clue how to do that. To steal a line from one of my recent shorts about a rockclimber, finding the right words feels like searching for holds that don't exist. But there have been words that came before me, words that transcend meaning and affect us in such a way, we smile before we realize we're smiling, and so I look to them to guide me. Give these influences room to breathe, absorb them passionately, allow them into your subconscious, and have faith your voice will surface on its own the more you write. That's what I believe, anyway.
I dont think it's possible to write without being influenced by something. From the very first text you ever read, your writing style is defined by what you read and hear and see, whether you like it or not. You can probably make a concious descision not to write in a particular style, but you will always borrow from somewhere, even if you think you dont. Basically all your thoughts and ideas that you would like to put down on the paper, aswell as the manner in which you do, is influenced by your experiences throughout your life. What makes your writing unique is combining what you have learned, to create something that is you find interesting, and that is unique to you. At least that is my two cents.
I'm conscious of being influenced by certain writers I read a lot, namely Joseph Conrad (for how he builds mystery with words), Rudyard Kipling (for his sheer vitality and color - I swear the man wrote with a high-voltage pen!), John Steinbeck (for his originality of imagery), Anthony Burgess (for his dizzying virtuosity with the English language), James Joyce (for his linguistic inventiveness and the beauty of his language), and mostly the poet Robinson Jeffers (for the rhythms of his long-breath lines). There are others, of course; every writer is influenced by everything he's ever read, even if it's just the back of a cereal box, but these are the ones I'm most conscious of.
I read an article, I think it was in the New York Times, about how what we read immediately before we write affects the outcome. It can be a negative or positive effect. So if you spend two weeks reading nothing (and I mean nothing, no newspapers, blogs etc.) but Fitzgerald and Capote, chances are you will have absorbed a lot of their style. It's really interesting, and makes a lot of sense, considering we each get our own unique take on language from the environment that created us.
That may be true when you are a blank slate. However, the more you write, the more you develop your own style, your own voice. In essence, over time you become your own strongest influence, because doing always trumps observing. The proof? The fact that writers do develop a distinct voice, and it remains uniquely theirs over the years, even though it becomes more refined over time.
I definitely write with my influences in mind. I try to be a minimalist and I'm drawn to authors that write in the way. When I'm writing I'm always considering the importance of time belonging to the reader. I hate wasting time. However, I've noticed my style change as I've read different authors. You begin to realize what subjects really matter. You start to realize you need that certain moment that rips your guts out.
When I write, I just write and try not to let anything else mix in with my writing. I'm sure, on a subconscious level, that influences does come into my writing, as I have noticed them on the second pass. Otherwise though, I prefer to just write my own voice without trying to make it sound as good as this person, or that person, or these people.
Even junk as an influence can be powerful. I was reading Transparent Things by Vladimir Nabokov the other day and it ends on a nightmare vision of veggy creatures dancing around the trapped hero. This image was taken from a children's book and turns out it was actually a book Nabokov read as a child. Reality invades art. I think it's called the Veggy People. A writer can never acertain where big ideas come from, they just happen. My style is an absorption of many things. Could be what I've read, Could stem from the fact that I've had family members walk away while I'm still talking, Could be my own likes and dislikes. Probably all of the above. I tend to be choppy and I like metaphors. I want each sentence to deliver the clearest most interesting information, in the least ammount of words.
I'm a total pantser. I sit down and if I have a prompt I just go with what comes to mind,and edit at the end. This is why I do not have very many pieces that extend 3000 words. I have promised myself that this year I will enter NaNoWriMo this year but I have to improve my keyboarding skills.
I feel as though my writing style has some sort of I don't know lull about it. Often I usually use lack of detail and encryption to help the reader bring scenes to life in their imagination unless its first person then I pull the reader through every thought and often ask the questions that they want to know themselves in order to provoke the thoughts. I feel it kind of strange that I shoot for the most "realistic" response despite the fact that I generally write in dark fantasy. I steer clear of overarching rainbows over a sunset in favor of the grass flowing with the breeze if you get my drift. And I don't know I kind of feel that I'm cheating some people out of an experience here.
Well posting a sample would be the best way for people to critique and tell you what they think. But to write well, you need confidence. It doesn't guarantee good writing, but without it, your writing will almost always be shoddy. Write what comes naturally. Don't worry about your style. It'll emerge by itself via repetition and what you read.
I'm pretty sure posting something here up for critique would have Cogito show up faster than I type But a small sample probably couldn't hurt
Based on what you've written, I don't feel like I'm missing anything or that I'm being cheated. I don't see anything wrong with your style of writing.
Sounds pretty good to me. Some sentences seemed a little long and over the top but I definitely don't feel cheated.
