WHO DO THEY COMPARE YOU WITH?

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

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

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--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

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

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

"You mean I cheated?"

Tri