Welcome to another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! This hop is spearheaded by Alex J. Cavanaugh, and there is a website where you can add your name to the list and join us!
I don't know about you, but I've noticed that when I'm writing, whatever book I'm reading at the time influences my writing style. For example, I've been listening to Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series on audiobook while driving. If you're not familiar with her work, she writes epic novels that are packed with evocative descriptions and great dialogue. Because of this, I notice that when I sit down to write I pay more attention to description and character emotion, and I spend more time exploring those aspects of the story. I'm not trying to copy Diana's style, but being immersed in her example makes me more aware of those parts of my own writing. Does that make sense?
I've also been reading a lot of Jim Butcher's Dresden series as well, and it makes me think more about humor and how it can be effectively used in writing. The story and characters have to be right for it, but it's definitely something I want to try to explore in my own work.
Are you aware of other authors influencing how you write? Do you have a favorite author (or three) that you use as an example of how to do something well? Please share in the comments--I'm always excited to find more inspirations!
Yes, that make total sense, and I've definitely caught myself doing the same thing! I'm no happy when other people's voices start seeping through my own (which has happened...), but I just try to notice what I like about their style, and pay attention to that in my own work - exactly as you did :)
ReplyDeleteI hear you--when I start sounding 'different' I know I need to take a step back and re-evaluate. It's great to be reminded of aspects of craft though, by looking at how other authors work.
DeleteYuppers. I actually go read specific authors before writing different things just to get me in the right frame of mind. Colleen Houck is one of these, and Deant Koontz, and Cassandra Claire. We need our influences, eh?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And I like the idea of specifically reading certain authors before beginning certain passages. I'm going to have to try that!
DeleteHi Lara! I most CERTAINLY am influenced by other writers. After I read Virginia Wolfe I always want to write chapters-long length descriptions and after reading Poe I always get into a certain rhythm. I read David Sedaris and wind up in a "funny" mood and read Pat Conroy and become very deep.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one! :)
DeleteOh yes, there have been several authors who have influenced the way I write. Phillipa Gregory is probably one of my biggest influences. Diana Gabaldon is great, too.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a while since I've read Phillipa Gregory, but I do enjoy her work.
DeleteYes, that does happen to me, but only with authors I really adore. The more time I spend with my characters though, the clearer they become. Then no one can shake their voice.
ReplyDeleteGood point--the deeper I am in a story, the harder it is to remember to look for examples in other work.
Deletelol for sure! I read a series not long ago where the MC had a way of explaining what happened in the previous books and when I re-read my MS I noticed I had the same thing going. The voice and such, though, usually stays the same for me. I think. I'll have to re-read and look for influences again. o_0
ReplyDeleteIt's hard _not_ to be influenced by other authors! We are readers, after all! :)
DeleteI do that too. It helps when I'm trying to convey something if I'm reading a book that enhances what I'm trying to get across. Nice to know it's not just me. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from Shout with Emaginette
Yes--exactly! It's almost like an instruction manual for certain aspects of writing.
DeleteI find this to be true of myself. Btw, I've read D.G.'s OUTLANDER series and listened to the first three, again, on audio. Love them. Are you aware Starz will be airing the series this summer?
ReplyDeleteI'm practically counting the days until it releases in August! :)
DeleteThat happens to me, too. And so many times, when I'm reading for pleasure, a totally unrelated scene will give me an epiphany about a problem I'm having with my own story. It will seem similar in some strange way, but not to others. No matter. It gets me unstuck, and that's what counts. :)
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean, and I love it when inspiration strikes like that! :)
DeleteOh, me too! I try to read what I'm writing... it feed my imagination. Somehow I visualise what's in my own head better in other peoples words, if that makes sense. Not in a plagiarism kind of way, in an inspiration sponge way. :)
ReplyDeletehttp://iurl.no/4u35h
Makes perfect sense to me! Thanks for stopping by! :)
DeleteThis used to happen to me all the time when I first started writing years and years ago, and sometimes I did it on purpose, trying to write short pieces that emulated Bukowski or Hemingway or...
ReplyDeleteNow I try not to read fiction set in the era I'm writing in, because I definitely don't want to be influenced by other authors' views of that time period!