Unique writing styles may be the selling point for individual writing artists. Style is the underlying current that runs through all your writing. It's how you write, not what you write. It's the part of you that readers will come to recognize and expect. Think about some of your favorite authors - you're usually happy to go and purchase their new book even if you know very little about it. You know you like their approach and you trust that they will deliver the goods, over and over again. They use their own unique strengths when writing a book.
Once a reader discovers a style they enjoy, they are more likely to return again and again, and try to find other authors who share a similar style of writing. Find books from established writers who share a similar style to your own. Do you have a simple but suspenseful style like John Grisham? Or maybe a witty and intelligent style like Zadie Smith? Perhaps you have the capacity to reach out to young people in the way of J K Rowling, or nail a romance like Danielle Steele?
I am not suggesting you should be comparable to these authors when you first start out, but by identifying the style you aim to achieve you know your outcome when it comes time for creating your book. You can model yourself on these people rather than trying to re-invent the wheel. Obviously we wouldn't just simulate other writers (and this would be obvious to our readers), but you can analyze the basis of their writing which gives you a good beginning point. Then you can weave your own personality throughout.
Studying these novels regularly puts the tone into your mind. In this manner your style doesn't jump around every which way - going from intelligent and unorthodox, to romantic and powerful every turn of the page. Your readers choose your stories because they expect a particular style, don't try to showcase everything in the one go, as you will make things more difficult on them to stay tuned.
Establishing your own style takes practice. By writing as often as you can ... about whatever you can ... you will create a natural and genuine style which is true to yourself. The more you practice the more you will begin to see your natural style emerging, and you will discover your style.
To expose your best style, write freely and naturally in your first drafts. When writing a novel always pick topics and characters that mean something to you, intellectually, or even better, emotionally. This will make sure your writing is sincere, rings true to your readers, and most importantly, highlights the very best of the artist within, as we all have our own unique, distinct styles of writing.
Once a reader discovers a style they enjoy, they are more likely to return again and again, and try to find other authors who share a similar style of writing. Find books from established writers who share a similar style to your own. Do you have a simple but suspenseful style like John Grisham? Or maybe a witty and intelligent style like Zadie Smith? Perhaps you have the capacity to reach out to young people in the way of J K Rowling, or nail a romance like Danielle Steele?
I am not suggesting you should be comparable to these authors when you first start out, but by identifying the style you aim to achieve you know your outcome when it comes time for creating your book. You can model yourself on these people rather than trying to re-invent the wheel. Obviously we wouldn't just simulate other writers (and this would be obvious to our readers), but you can analyze the basis of their writing which gives you a good beginning point. Then you can weave your own personality throughout.
Studying these novels regularly puts the tone into your mind. In this manner your style doesn't jump around every which way - going from intelligent and unorthodox, to romantic and powerful every turn of the page. Your readers choose your stories because they expect a particular style, don't try to showcase everything in the one go, as you will make things more difficult on them to stay tuned.
Establishing your own style takes practice. By writing as often as you can ... about whatever you can ... you will create a natural and genuine style which is true to yourself. The more you practice the more you will begin to see your natural style emerging, and you will discover your style.
To expose your best style, write freely and naturally in your first drafts. When writing a novel always pick topics and characters that mean something to you, intellectually, or even better, emotionally. This will make sure your writing is sincere, rings true to your readers, and most importantly, highlights the very best of the artist within, as we all have our own unique, distinct styles of writing.
No comments:
Post a Comment