This week I'll write about style as in grammar style. As you write your stories and novels you will acquire a personal style. In your early days you probably try to emulate your favorite authors hoping to discover your own. This is a good thing and I would encourage you to imitate your favorite writers as much as you can.
Discovering your own style is a long journey. It will take hours of writing before you can actually start noticing a particular form in your writing. I feel, after more than 5 years writing every single day that I’m now developing my own voice. I can think of many things that can help you find your own style; reading all kinds of genres and authors, writing in all kinds of styles and forms, and grammar. Yes, grammar. You are probably thinking: “What are you talking about?” That’s a given. Not necessarily. I write my stories in my first language Spanish. English still feels awkward to me even though I am writing this blog in English. I noticed that paying attention to a few grammar principles, my writing improved tremendously. I will share two principles that have improved my writing. These two principles are taken from the excellent book by Roy Peter Clark, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer.
1. Order words for emphasis. Place words at the beginning of the sentences and at the end of a sentence or paragraph. Consider for example this sentence by Shakespeare: “The Queen, my lord, is dead.” That word dead at the end of the sentence resonates with special power.
2. Watch those Adverbs. Use adverbs to change the meaning of a verb. At their best adverbs spicy up a verb. At their worst they express meaning already contain in it. Consider these two sentences.
I smile happily.
I smile sadly.
Which one works best? I think the second sentence as the word smile contains the meaning of happily.
Consider applying these two principles to your writing and start noticing how your writing changes dramatically.
Check these two books:
See if you can stand Irvine Welsh's style and use of grammar in his famous novel Trainspotting
Check Roy Peter Clark talks about one of his favorite tools: "Order Words For Emphasis."
Nice topic, Felipe! I feel like style is one of the hardest things for a writer to develop. But I like your suggestion to stick with grammar principles; not enough people seem to do that anymore. Your two tips are great ones!
ReplyDeleteNice post! I like the tips you give, they're great reminders. I'm going through the book The Elements of Style Illustrated right now, it's great.
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