Heritage & eloquence
One of the most difficult things to narrow down as a writer-- or as any type of creator-- is style.
style /stīl/
a manner of doing something, a way of using language, sometimes characteristic of a particular period, place, persn, or movement.
a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed.
elegance and sophistication.
Style, that distant muse of artists and authors everywhere. Some are ornate, detailed, and downright prosaic: just look to fantasy writers like Christopher Paolini and J. R. R. Tolkien.
Others are folksy, seemingly effortless, like the best storyteller this side of the river: writers like Terry Pratchett or E. B. White specialize in this informal model.
The style you choose will depend on the context of your work, your audience, but most importantly, on you. However style presents itself to you, it is ultimately and above all else unique. it speaks to who you are as a person, which, when done well, should shine through in every well-drafted paragraph.
“Let grammar, punctuation, and spelling into your life! Even the most energetic and wonderful mess has to be turned into sentences.”
It's a strange balance that must be struck, between finding a voice that suits both your audience and sounds like you, but that is what keeps your audience engaged without losing your writing to the mainstream and cliché.
At its best, your style should leave the reader with an impression of who you are as a person. Are you bold, direct, and straight to the point? Are you pithy or poetic, meandering or minimalistic, confident or conservative? Whatever you're writing, the audience should be able to hear your voice come through.
Many writers draw on their background and experience to define themselves as an author. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and this holds true for writing. You may imitate anyone, from your favorite classic novels, to a particular commercial that's stuck with you, or the environment you grew up on.
Emulate Biblical verse, your regional cadences, local or ethnic dialect, or anyone else whose voice resonates with your own. Use their language to define your own, until you shed them and come into a style that’s all yours.
