Do It With Style

"It was not so much what I wrote about, I discovered, as how I wrote about it. After all, almost anything that could ever happen to a human being had already been written about, by someone, somewhere. The difference would be in the treatment, the style."

~How I Came to Be a Writer Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

 

I am excited about our new SCN Book Review of the Month, submitted by one of our Star Reviewers, Jennifer Melville.  The book is Letter to My Daughter by Maya Angelou.  This newest volume of essays written by one of my favorite authors has quickly become a cherished "read again and again" part of my library.  Why do I like Maya Angelou?  More than one reason, I suspect, but right at the top of the list--she has STYLE!  For me, her words evoke emotion; her descriptions paint pictures in my mind.  I don't think my writing style will ever be just like hers, but I read her to immerse myself in a style I like and that I appreciate.  Her style causes a reaction in me that I would like to cause with my writing.

What is your style?  Have you discovered it yet?  Is there something you especially like about what your writing style?  That's wonderful. Keep on that path.  Are there elements you think might need some improvement or refinement?  Read and read again the words of authors you admire, that cause you to feel and to visualize. 

If, as Naylor says in the beginning quote, that most everything has already been written about, and all we have to distinguish our stories is our style, then finding and honing our unique style is invaluable.  I don't find that discouraging at all, but rather take it as a challenge to be met. If I believe my story is worth telling, and I definitely do, then finding a way to make it sing, to arouse emotions, to create word pictures, I will work on developing my trademark style.  Naylor is herself a Newberry Medalist, so she certainly found what worked for her. Read, and read some more, and then when you write, do it with style!

I'd love to hear from you.  Tell me about an author you love, one whose style resonates with you, and why. Each of you is unique, each of you speak in your own voice in your own style. I'm sure we'll see varied responses. In sharing, we can learn from one one another, as well as from the books we read.

Let me put my Assistant Editor cap back on for a moment now.  This week, the SCNBR website also features the new Editors' Picks.  Please take time to look over these reviews.  Invariably, I will find a new volume or two to add to my wish list.  You'll remember from last week that I do LOVE books!  Our editors and reviewers work hard to bring the best and the newest to our attention.  One other valuable tidbit.  If you link to a book on Amazon from this post or anywhere on this blog, and then purchase that book (or another, or several while you're at it...), Story Circle benefits.  It's a good fundraiser for the organization and you get a new book.  What could be better than that?!

Comments

[Rhonda]

I've thought a lot about my style the last couple of months and finally narrowed it down to what I do best. (Or most) Unfortunately, my style is also my downfall sometimes - a little bit of TMI and off topicness. I wasn't able to 'see' how I wrote until I found my friends at SCN. Hopefully, I will continue to grow and evolve with this support system. My favorite authors successfully cross into non-fiction and fiction genres and most have an outside artistic talent. There is a huge toss up between several women writers, with probably my favorite being Susan Wittig Albert or Neveda Barr.

[Trilla Pando]

I agree about the Maya Angelou book. I bought one as a gift to my daughter. Now I'm buying a new one because in my brief preview, I fell in love, started underlining--now it is my own. I'll get a new one for Katy and one for each daughter-in-law. I'm deligted it is the subject of the excellent review-of-the-month.

Keep up the good work!

[Susan Albert]

There's a book in the Editors' Picks this month, at www.storycirclebookreviews.org that I admire enormously: Writing in an Age of Silence, by Sara Paretsky. It is such a brave book, so strong and forthright in its feminism. It's riskier (stylistically) than her mysteries (which I also love) and also risky in the expression of her political views. We need women who speak out. Oh, I do miss Molly Ivins!