I'm preparing to write a book myself (albeit non-fiction). One quote that stuck with me was in the first episode of The Silkworm, Tim McInnerny's character Daniel Chard said: "And I've been in books all my life. A writer's voice is particular."
Can my voice be particular or original if I like certain writers and their styles? I don’t want to feel an imitator or a fraud. You can unconsciously absorb certain techniques or turns of phrase.
Thanks for any guidance.
Kind regards,
Simon Stiel
Reading other people's works is one of the tools for any writer, being influenced by others I'm sure will improve your own work. Learning techniques is vital.
However beware not to compare yourself too much. I'll read a Marion Keyes while writing my book and thinking 'Oh, my novel isn't funny enough?'
Or a Pratchett thinking 'oh, my novel isn't out there enough?'
Or a thriller thinking 'Oh, perhaps my book is boring because there's nothing scary?'
Its easy to get stuck or defeated if you start comparing your first draft to other author's masterpieces. So read for pleasure, soak in the enjoyment, and let it inspire.
I'm sure your original style will flood through :)
Amy
Thank you all. I worry about whether my voice is authentic.
Hi Simon,
I can only echo Lorraine's sentiments. Alot of what you have read has influenced you without you even realising it.
As long as you are true to yourself it will come out in your writing style. I write fantasy stories and I have reread my work and I can feel my influences throughout. I do not enter into writing and think to myself "How would David Eddings explain this" or even "I should write like Raymond E Feist today."
They definitely influence my writiing but I have found my own voice. So again echoing Lorraine, just write my friend and do not be too concerned. Just enjoy what comes out.