Science Fiction Novelist suddenly turned Middle Grade over a year ago.

b_radom

b_radom

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Well, here I am. A little about me: I live in Portland OR, where there are a lot of strange goings on, I read less than I used to, because the books I like always make me want to imitate them, and all those books are classics, so I'd never be writing anything that can sell, I'm totally new to this site, and the rest is in my signature. Pleasure to meet you all.
 
CACTUSWENDY

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Welcome to AW. Hope you enjoy your stay with us.
How do you like your popcorn?

If you go to the bottom of the page to the 'forum jump' you can scroll down and find all the areas of this place. After you post 50 posts you can use the SYW areas to get help there. The password for some of the areas is…..vista. A word to the wise, it would be a good idea to participate first in helping others before you think about posting your own work. After you have been around here for awhile, then post something of your own for help. Good luck.
 
regdog

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Take some time and read the Newbie Guide and the Stickies found
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Don’t forget to read the FAQ regarding posting pictures at AW.


Members who want to start a thread in Share Your Work to have work critiqued need
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scarecrow

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Hi,

Welcome to the boards.

I have the same problem imitating the style of what I am reading. I have to be very careful what I read or my voice changes. Glad to know I am not alone.

I also like the classics but find my voice is too lofty for MG. (I write MG fantasy.) I used the ghosting problem to my advantage and immersed myself in MG books for a while till I developed my voice into something the kids would enjoy more.

On that note, I just finished the Hunger Games. Her style is so different from mine I didn't have the problem, and it is an excellent book.

Good luck getting an agent.
 
jaksen

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So what if you mimic/imitate other authors? It's like hanging around with folks from the south - suddenly I get a slight drawl to my voice.

If you write enough, you'll develop your own unique voice and style. Then reading others won't make a difference. Here's a tip - read two different things at the same time, like a novel and a short story anthology. (Anthology, so all the writers in it are different.) Alternate the two books - if you've read three chapters in the novel, the next time you have time to read, read a short story.

Your brain won't know who to imitate, so you'll just develop your own style.
 
b_radom

b_radom

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jaksen said:
So what if you mimic/imitate other authors? It's like hanging around with folks from the south - suddenly I get a slight drawl to my voice.

If you write enough, you'll develop your own unique voice and style. Then reading others won't make a difference. Here's a tip - read two different things at the same time, like a novel and a short story anthology. (Anthology, so all the writers in it are different.) Alternate the two books - if you've read three chapters in the novel, the next time you have time to read, read a short story.

Your brain won't know who to imitate, so you'll just develop your own style.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion. I think it might also be possible to develop my style in a vacuum, which is what I did the last time it developed. The only problem with that strategy is that I don't get to read as much.
 
b_radom

b_radom

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Thanks to everyone for welcoming me!
 
thothguard51

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You need to read, if for no other reason than to see what is selling.

A well rounded writer is a well read writer, IMHO...
 
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