WHO DO THEY COMPARE YOU WITH?

[triceretops]

This is just for fun. Have you ever had an editor, agent, or reader say, "Damn, you write just like so-and-so!" Have you ever been likened to a famous writer or personality on your dust jacket blurb? I admit that It's happened to me, and I kind of liked it, but the estimations seemed so far off because I've always tried to copy the style of two very famous writers, but have never drawn comparisons. Instead I got these from fiction magazine editors:

Stephen King--(This one blew me away because I don't even like him that much. I think he's verbose and unedited, and I've only read one of his books. Hmm, maybe I am verbose and unedited)

Roald Dahl--(This one really hammered me because I have no idea who this guy is. Note: Just looked him up. Willy Wonka? James and Giant Peach? Okay, I'm a little dark, sick and nuts like this writer. So I'll give into this one as being the more accurate.

My dust jacket blurb: "The Cecile B. DeMille of Garage Sales!" (Get a life, will you! It's like saying I'm the king of trash--yeah, that got me lots of girls looking for a secure professional).

Alrighty then, who's next?

Tri

[alaskamatt17]

What books have you written?

I know I wouldn't mind being compared to Stephen King. I only started reading his stuff recently, but The Talisman, which he co-wrote with Peter Straub, really blew me away. I was amazed at how well those two authors did the characterization for that book.

[aruna]

This is just for fun. Have you ever had an editor, agent, or reader say, "Damn, you write just like so-and-so!" Have you ever been likened to a famous writer or personality on your dust jacket blurb? I admit that It's happened to me, and I kind of liked it, but the estimations seemed so far off because I've always tried to copy the style of two very famous writers, but have never drawn comparisons. Instead I got these from fiction magazine editors:


Tri

My agent described me as Vikram Seth meets (somebody, I've forgotten whom) and a Danish newspaper reviewer compared me with Isabel Allende. Though I know I'm not (yet!) nearly on a par with those writers I think it hits the mark as A Suitable Boy and The House of Spirits are the same kind of book that I write: extended family dramas/sagas, love stories, set against a strong historical/political background, long books to get your teeth into. They are the writers I emulate, along with V S Naipaul's A House for Mr Biswas; "emulate" not in the sense of "copy", but the ones I strive to reach. That's the kind of book I write naturally.

[Garpy]

Aaaah...good thread.

My agent, on first reading my ms, described me as a 'Brit Stephen King'....which I take with a pinch of salt. I think because the first ms he looked at (A Thousand Suns) basically places a London photographer into a typical New England town (Castle Rock-esque)...that's where the comparison came from. Personally, I'd like to think I don't witter on endlessly like Mr King does ;-)

Subsequently, my editor described my style as a 'Wired generation's Frederick Forsyth'....which again leaves me scratching my head with mild confusion.

[triceretops]

Alaska--wrote two non-fic books (no novels yet) Garage Sale Mania and Auto Repair Shams And Scams. But those comparisons were from fiction magazine editors when I wrote super natural and sci-fi stuff.

I only read Cujo by King, and I admit that it is not fair to judge him on that work alone. I sincerely give him credit for some of the best characterization I've ever seen--hats off in that regard, no doubt about it. I don't know how to describe what turned me off--over-extended narative or long-windedness?

My style: They walked over to a large oak tree and spread their picnic blanket under it. Somebody had carved their initials in the bark of the old tree. The initials read CJ & TM.

King: They walked over to a large oak tree and spread their picnic blanket under it. The blanket was bought from a surplus store three weeks ago and had a corner missing in the shape of a four leaf clover. Some kids had defaced the old, spindly oak with the the intials CJ & TM. Must of been Cathy Joe and Timmy Markus--they'd done that at least fifty times to all the park trees in Sasafras County. Deputy Sibbet swore he was going to catch those kids one day.

This is of course,an exageration, and with King's style there is a lot of "color" or "flavor" that certainly brings out atmosphere/ambiance (sp?) to a setting. And in it, we can discover all kinds of things about the characters and the setting that we would have never wondered about. But to do it in every scene, everywhere, with everything just boggs me down in an ultra-slow pace, making be think that I have to be on heroine or drunk to appreciate all these intricate strings.

Yet, I hear that Mr. King has a degree in English and he's scripted a How To writing book. So what do I know? He certainly has his own style and he's got to be doing something right.

Aruna--I also try to emulate and not copy. But I'm very concious of them whenever I'm on a project, and try to capture the beauty of their style and words. I notice that if I stick to two or three authors exclusively, I develope a more intense style that comes close, but usually ends up being perceptibly ME.

Tri

[triceretops]

Garpy, that's funny! I usually don't take to much stock in what regular readers or friends say. But when editors or agents draw comparisons, your ears perk, and your eyebrows raise. You say, now how in the hell did that come up with that? You end up flattered and forever grateful, but somehow dismally struck with confusion and rounds of head-scratching.

A wired generation's Fredric Forsyth? Perhaps someone will chime in and give us an interpretation, eh?

Tri

[Zolah]

I've never been compared to anyone! My agent did say my prose reminded her of rich dark chocolate once...does that count?

[astonwest]

One of those who read my first novel (as opposed to my first 'published' novel) said it was like "Stephen King, with a plot." I'm not sure what they were implying about King's books, but.........

[christa]

I agree with Garpy: Ah, great thread!

I'm also surprised there are so many comparisons to Stephen King. I've read quite a lot of his works, in fact, I probably own most of his collection. I think, Tri, your observation is right on. King's descriptive carrying on could be a lot more impressionable if it weren't so overused. I think he's a good writer but he exhausts me.

As for myself, my agent, in her proposal, compares me to Barbara Kingsolver and Ursula Hegi. I don't much see that myself, but hey, I wasn't going to argue with my agent on that one. (I pick my battles :))

A blurb (in part) I received is: "...her vivid word painting brings to mind Monet's nature studies and Renoir's depictions of people."

[Nateskate]

Yes, I've had people very emphatic that I remind them of some famous writer. However, I never know who in the heck they are talking about (Doesn't bode well for me I guess), and I can never remember the name later to look them up? "Who did they say I reminded them of?"

Well, it's nobody famous, at least famous in my world. They're always like, "You don't know so-and-so?"

"Never heard of them."

[Christine N.]

I've had two people compare me to JK Rowling. <hangs head in embarrassment>. Not really for my writing, but my story. No, my first book is not a HP ripoff. Personally I think it's more along the lines of LOTR and The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe. One was my editor, one was a reader.

I think I write like... myself. LOL.

I loved The Talisman too...still one of my favorite books. When I was younger, I was a big Stephen King fan. Got me into trouble when I started writing. I had to cut a ton of stuff out of my work before submitting, it tended to ramble on a bit. I had to unlearn the habit of over describing everything.

[Sarita]

I love this thread!

I haven't heard comparisons from any editors. But two professors and one friend said I reminded them of Hemingway with a few of my short stories. While I *love* Hemingway, at that point it had been a few years since I picked up anything of his. So, I did (I reread them all again) and now I wonder... Do I really sound that depressed? And moreover, how drunk were these people when they read my short stories? I only say this because there's no way my writing can come within miles of Papa's.

And Zolah: Rich, dark chocolate is a great thing to be compared to. Yum!

[GPatten]

This is what my friends compare me to.
I hope this is not too big.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v67/pattengr/My%20personal%20fishing%20photos/Jerry_the_Old_Timer.jpg

[Julie Worth]

Kurt Vonnegut, Ayn Rand, and Tom Robbins, for different books.

[scribbler1382]

I think if you write a certain type or genre of book, readers are always going to compare you to the 800-pound gorilla of the day. When I used to only write horror, I was compared, as a lot of other people here have been, to Stephen King. This had nothing whatsoever to do with writing style. It simply meant the reader was frightened and made a connection with another frightening author. I'm sure people who write YA fantasy right now are being compared endlessly to J.K. Rowling, regardless of how they actually write.

I think if you can get a comparison from fellow writers or people in the industry, it might have a little more substance.

And with that long-A S S intro, a few years ago I was compared to Don Pendleton. I didn't see it, but I've deliberately tried not to sound like that ever since.

[SRHowen]

Kurt Vonnegut, esp Slaughterhouse Five. And Anne Rice, Tony Hillerman as well.

[Jamesaritchie]

Louis L'Amour for my westerns, which is more than fair, and one of my pseudonyms constantly gets compared to Lawrence Block, which is fine by me, though I don't see it. I think I write more like Robert B. Parker, but that comparison has never been made.

A lot of my short humor gets compared with Patrick F. McManus, which I think is great since he'd my favorite humor writer.
I'd love to be compared to Stephen King. I think he's one of the most underrated writers out there. I love his style. He can be uneven, but when he gets it right, he gets it very right.

[Cathy C]

The tone and style of our latest series has been compared repeatedly to Mickey Spillane. Our western has been compared to Zane Grey. (Gee, do ya think I write a bit too "male" for traditional romance? :ROFL: )

[Tirjasdyn]

I've had someone who is beta reading my book compare me to Mercedes Lackey. She said I sounded the same.

[triceretops]

Zolah--of course rich, dark chocolate would count. It could only mean that you're yummy, heavy with a creamy texture, and you really lay it on thick.

Aston--perhaps they meant you just got into your plot a little faster than the master, or that it was much more evident, especially from the gate.

Christa--Our agents or editors do seem to give us a more obscure comparison, since these people certainly have their favorites and sometimes a more inexhaustable reading base. And with their influence and proximity to us, maybe their comparisons carry a notion of us more profound.

Nate--that was my experience with the Roald Dahl reference. Had no idea of this writer until I looked him up. "Chris, I always percieve some juvenile irony or behaviour in all your adult situations." That also reminds me of Speilberg--my adults are masquerading as kids.

Christine N.--A comparison to Rowling can't be all that bad. If it's not style, maybe it's structure, pace and provocative scenes. I haven't read her yet. Is she quaint and breezy, with that delightful British influence?

Saritams8--Hemmingway excelled with emotion and the human condition. If I remember, his style was stark, uncomplicated and a pretty safe read without all this flowery and exagerated prose. A true English Major's dream, wot?

GPatton--You're easy, you write like one of our past members who's call name was Zaz. Brutal, with honest condemnation and lechery.

Julie--you can change at will like cuttle fish. You have some range, dear, if you can explore and dive into a story that has a unique flavor. You're adaptable, and there's more layers to you than you probably know about. Is it possible that you read everybody and retain (through sharp memory) an appropriate venue for any given genre?

Scribbler--you could be dead on about that. Famous writers and popular trends are an easy bag to grab from and paste you with.

SRHowen--Whooo, makes me want to read your stuff. Do you remember Shirley Jackson?

James--kind of tells me you like painting with words. L'Amour is a flattering comparison. And I totally agree that King has got details, tags and hooks that make him so memorable. He's got tons of irony in his prose. I just picked up the Stand but it's that monsterous version.

CathyC--Maybe you just have a natural tendency to know the male ego and bring it out in a plausible manner. Are these writers known for a gritty reality?

Well, it's back to the keyboard. I just told my alter-ego Roald to get his azz busy and pound the keys. But please, no more lolly pops and kid stuff in my hard science fiction!

Tri

[astonwest]

Aston--perhaps they meant you just got into your plot a little faster than the master, or that it was much more evident, especially from the gate.

Could have been I just scared them ****less, but not enough to hide the plot...
Who knows?

[JoeEkaitis]

From a rejection letter:

You're trying too hard to be the next E. B. White and frankly, if the next envelope contains the first three chapters of Stuart Little from E. B. himself, I'll send those back, too.

[triceretops]

Wow, Joe. That's got to rank right up there. And I mean RANK right up in there. I'd send em' E.B's first three of Little. At least they deduced a White similarity. Now that's got to count for something.

Tri

[triceretops]

"We're so impressed. My gawd, you write just like Madonna."

"You mean I cheated?"

Tri

[JoeEkaitis]

Wow, Joe. That's got to rank right up there. And I mean RANK right up in there. I'd send em' E.B's first three of Little. At least they deduced a White similarity. Now that's got to count for something.

TriPartly my fault. Their middle reader and young adult list consisted of dark, gothic epics, so they probably weren't in the mood for a lightweight novel about a griffin who writes novels under a female pen name and a dragon who paints murals.

Another publisher is bringing it out by Christmas. . .we hope. :)

[JoeEkaitis]

"We're so impressed. My gawd, you write just like Madonna."

"You mean I cheated?"

TriSpeaking of whom, Amazon.com omitted external reviews for her last three books after the first two were panned by ALA Booklist and School Library Journal.

[triceretops]

Very glad to hear you got that straightened out, Joe. Look forward to seeing that in print. Fingers crossed.

Tri

[Cathy C]

CathyC--Maybe you just have a natural tendency to know the male ego and bring it out in a plausible manner. Are these writers known for a gritty reality?



VERY gritty! We write male first person, and guys just LOVE Tony! :D Our latest review from Roundtable Reviews said: " MOON'S WEB is Mickey Spillane and the Godfather meet Bram Stoker." LOL!

[triceretops]

Hey, Cathy. Wow, sounds positively macho--anything to get us guys reading is a great thing. I've noticed you on the boards here recently and have seen that you have met with some above average success. Think I hit your website too.

You give sound advice in all your posts. You're a great addition to AW, and I wish you more and repeated success. Sometimes I can't decerne you from Susan Gable; you both offer similar views--experience and pleasant logic.

Tri

[cwfgal]

Coming late to this thread but can I play anyway?

My first agent called me a female Dean Koontz. My editor also saw strong similarities and as a result, a Koontz comparison became a cover blurb for my first book.

Beth

[triceretops]

Come right on in, Beth Koontz. Now that is something. A comparison and a blurb. Let me ask you, did you read and admire a lot Koontz stories? If you did, do you think that gave you a basic stylistic foundation?

Tri

[cwfgal]

Come right on in, Beth Koontz. Now that is something. A comparison and a blurb. Let me ask you, did you read and admire a lot Koontz stories? If you did, do you think that gave you a basic stylistic foundation?

Tri

Yes and yes. Koontz has always been one of my favorite authors and I love his writing style. I'm sure his style greatly influenced my own.

Oh, and let me clarify since I realize from an email I received that I may have misled on the blurb...it wasn't a blurb from Koontz, it was a blurb the publisher put on the book comparing me to Koontz.

Beth

[maestrowork]

Is it a good or bad thing when nobody compares to me to anyone?

(wait, a dear friend did say, "You're writing one of those Hemingway literary sh!t..." :) )

[triceretops]

It just means you're really unique, Ray, and you'll probably start a trend before long. Discovery takes time, or a hell of a lot of self-promotion. And with the cult worship you have around here, I'd say we will be reciting the "Ray Method" mantra in the not to distant future.

Tri

[Crista]

The last editor that bought a short story from me compared me with Tanith Lee, as did a couple other editors in rejections. I was flattered. I'd only ever read ONE Tanith Lee story, so after I got those comments, I went out and read more of her. I definitely see the similarities.

[Christine N.]

I wait for the day someone gets compared to ME! LOL

[maestrowork]

It just means you're really unique, Ray, and you'll probably start a trend before long. Discovery takes time, or a hell of a lot of self-promotion. And with the cult worship you have around here, I'd say we will be reciting the "Ray Method" mantra in the not to distant future.

Tri

LOL! Let's drink to that.

[triceretops]

Gak, Crista. Tanith Lee is quite the luminary of the luminous. I met her at a convention once and we discussed our Irishness. She was quite stunning then, and took my breath away. She probably remains so to this day. She's quite the con hopper and idolizes Ann McAffry (sp?)

Tri

[blargh]

A reader once wrote to me that my column reminded her of the work of Earl Hamner, father of the Waltons TV series. Although I wasn't much of a Waltons fan, I did read (and enjoyed) his book Spencers Mountain. Needless to say, I was very happy with the comparison.

[Lenora Rose]

So far, my fairy tales have garnered comparisons to Jane Yolen (Kind of inevitable), Tanith Lee (Which seemed off base but certainly flattering), and a question about whether I'd got the idea for one plot from Juliet Marillier ( Mine was a two-strand story where one strand uses the Six Swans/Seven Ravens fairy tales). I found that a bit insulting -- not because of the author cited. Turned out the girl who asked only knows her fairy tales if Disney's covered them, though, which softened the blow.

Nobody's compared Illusion with anything or anyone else, yet. So far I'm assuming that's because nobody's read it.

[Cathy C]

Hey, Cathy. Wow, sounds positively macho--anything to get us guys reading is a great thing. I've noticed you on the boards here recently and have seen that you have met with some above average success. Think I hit your website too.

You give sound advice in all your posts. You're a great addition to AW, and I wish you more and repeated success. Sometimes I can't decerne you from Susan Gable; you both offer similar views--experience and pleasant logic.

Tri

Awwww... :o Thanks!

[triceretops]

Lenora--If I'm not mistaken, Jane Yolan was quite the queen editor for several publications, and I can't quite think of them off-hand. She's also an author. If she is still involved with publishing, which I'm sure she is, you might send her some samples of your work. Jane was always cutting edge.

Tri

[Jamesaritchie]

Lenora--If I'm not mistaken, Jane Yolan was quite the queen editor for several publications, and I can't quite think of them off-hand. She's also an author. If she is still involved with publishing, which I'm sure she is, you might send her some samples of your work. Jane was always cutting edge.

Tri
I don't know about her being a queen editor, though it's possible. I know she started out as an editor a long time ago, but then became a writer. She's now written more than 250 books. But definitely ask permission before you send samples. Her website is http://www.janeyolen.com/

[Lenora Rose]

I don't know about her being a queen editor, though it's possible. I know she started out as an editor a long time ago, but then became a writer. She's now written more than 250 books. But definitely ask permission before you send samples. Her website is http://www.janeyolen.com/

Jane Yolen has edited anthologies within the last handful of years; she's not with a particular publisher, but she is still at it part time, anyhow. But I have no intention of sending anyone samples who isn't an editor* who's indicated they are currently reading for a specific and active publisher/anthology/magazine, and then through the proper channels.

Anyhow, what would I say? "I've publishecd a couple of fairy tales in very small presses, and soem people said I wrote like you." Hmm.. Sounds like a good way to get lumped in the crazed fans pile...

I've met her briefly at cons, and she seems friendly, approachable (if you're not threatening to drop a manuscript in her lap), and makes a good panel member (Although, when answering questions for her own reading, it was obvious some of her answers are canned and meant for the younger part of the market.)



* Or a beta reader, but that's a whole 'nother can of beans... Jane Yolen as Beta Reader, now that would be a fantasy come true, especially if she's as incisive as I'm sure she could be.

[triceretops]

My bad, I had Yolan confused with Ellen Datlow from the old days. Doh!

Tri

[Jamesaritchie]

My bad, I had Yolan confused with Ellen Datlow from the old days. Doh!

Tri

Ellen Datlow is currently the editor at scifiction, and she just won the editor of the year Hugo a couple of days back. She also has a message board over at the F&SF forums. A message board that can be highly informative at times.

[ChunkyC]

Late to the thread, as usual! Velly intellesting!

None of my fiction is published yet, but a beta reader who is also a fabbo writer, told me my stuff reminded her of Anne McCaffrey's Dragonrider books.

I passed out on the spot. I had never thought about who's work mine might be similar to, and that was a huge compliment. Now if I can only convince an acquisitions editor that I'm the next McCaffrey.... http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

[triceretops]

Dang, Chunk. The White Dragon was one of my best first books by the dame of dragon lore.

Tri