I don't think I've paid any mind to famous/prominent authors' writing style myself. But I do remember getting "stained" by the writing style of whatever I happen to be reading at the moment. I guess all writers are patterns of others' writings stiched together over the years.
This is so true. I have definitely moved from being inspired by one artist after another. I really got into Charles Dickens but I would move on to Jim Thompson and Donald Westlake and others. I think I align most with Westlake but what am I going to do? Just reread Westlake forever? Okay, yes, I do continue to reread Westlake but I also check out others as well. I think they're the most badasss writer ever but let a little time go by and then I move on. It's like we take in the great things about the writer and absorb from them and then we get curious to explore and discover what else it out there. Jim Thompson has influenced so many. Pop. 1280 is my favorite. I love how the main character manipulates the dumber people around him to the point that they think he's a moron himself and then he drops the hammer. And it's funny because they're all pretty bad people themselves, much like in horror where the victims have shown themselves to be terrible people and so it's almost funny when they get it. Such a poignant post. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
Indeed! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but do not forget yourself.
Absolutely! Yourself is the unique addition to your influences that brings originality.
I don't think I've paid any mind to famous/prominent authors' writing style myself. But I do remember getting "stained" by the writing style of whatever I happen to be reading at the moment. I guess all writers are patterns of others' writings stiched together over the years.
Yes I think the process of gathering influences is as you described it.
That's an interesting description you used for that exposure effect.
This is so true. I have definitely moved from being inspired by one artist after another. I really got into Charles Dickens but I would move on to Jim Thompson and Donald Westlake and others. I think I align most with Westlake but what am I going to do? Just reread Westlake forever? Okay, yes, I do continue to reread Westlake but I also check out others as well. I think they're the most badasss writer ever but let a little time go by and then I move on. It's like we take in the great things about the writer and absorb from them and then we get curious to explore and discover what else it out there. Jim Thompson has influenced so many. Pop. 1280 is my favorite. I love how the main character manipulates the dumber people around him to the point that they think he's a moron himself and then he drops the hammer. And it's funny because they're all pretty bad people themselves, much like in horror where the victims have shown themselves to be terrible people and so it's almost funny when they get it. Such a poignant post. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.