Oh my word. This book is just so great: On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association. editor Mort Castle.
It's a series of short essays from the 'masters' of horror. But I reckon many of the chapters are applicable to a short story writer in any genre.
I had a writer's epiphany when reading Bruce Holland Roger's essay, 'The Dark Enchantment of Style'. I've been wondering about voice for a while, you know the stylistic elements that makes an accomplished author's promise recognisable.
I'm sure I have more than one voice, I'd think. After all I write horror, science fiction and fantasy. One voice doesn't suit them all.
And sure enough, that's exactly what BHR says in his essay. That voice or style should be flexible and suit the needs of the story. Exactly! I should have listened to my own voice on that one. Still it was great to have that niggle crossed off my list.
So seeing as he was so smart about that. I thought I'd given the second part of his advice a try: Slow Down. That's absolutely counter-intuitive to me, because I'm so slow anyway. He advises that you re-write your passages from your favourite stories, and try to imitate them, slowly on a word by word and sentence by sentence level.
'Read slowly. Take time to analyze. Imitate slowly with care. When you compose, slow down.'
I'm going to give it a go. Not in my usual writing time, but in the time I devote to improvement.
What about you, readers. Do you write with more than one voice. Have you ever tried deliberately analysing, and imitating?
I have that book too, and have turned to it multiple times.
ReplyDeleteI definitely think that's true, about voice. I write in several genres and my crime voice is nothing like my horror voice. Come to think of it, not all of my horror voices are alike either. I guess because I try to embody the character's spirit - who they are, what they think, etc, or at least the mood of the piece.
Slow down, that's good advice. Best of luck.
Hi Erin, if I slow down too much, I might just stop. But I love the idea of copying your favourite prose.
DeleteNope, but it sounds like a good way of learning how to understand voice/style.
ReplyDeleteGo for it, Eagle.
DeleteThanks for the book-tip. I've already got it on hold at the library, and am looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteGot mine from the liberry, too. Liberries rock.
DeleteAnd now it's here. Just in time for the (long) weekend! Score!
DeleteFantastic. You'll have to let me know what you think, Chris.
DeleteInteresting sounding book. I certainly aim for voices that fit the story I'm writing. Not sure I succeed, but hey. Must admit I've never tried deliberately imitating but it's an intriguing idea.
ReplyDeleteWhen I get bored, I try all this stuff, Simon.
DeleteYou're right that there's no "one voice to rule them all," and I strive to use a different voice in almost every story I write. Like Simon though, I don't know if I always succeed, but it's my goal.
ReplyDeleteNice. A LOTR reference. It's interesting that you strive for different voices, Milo. Very successfully.
DeleteThat is excellent advice! I struggle with voice, at least the secondary character's voices. Think I'll give it a try. Thanks Deborah!
ReplyDeleteGo for it, Gwen.
DeleteI've been given the same advice before, find a particularly strong passage that you love in something you've read and try copying it down. Learn how the author did what they did in that scene.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I'm that mature of a writer. I've pretty much got one voice. I still try to do others, but I think it's a pretty shallow attempt.
Meh, there's all kinds of writers, Rusty. Maybe yours in the one voice to rule us all.
DeleteI think I have a definite voice, but I always try to bring something different. Every now and then I'll manage to write a story that has a brand new voice. I do exercises of imitating because there are voices I really admire out there.
ReplyDelete