Re: Lovecraft
Great link, James. Thanks. Just as an added note, I think if we were to poll 500 prolific readers, then another 500 prolific "writers" about this issue, I bet we'd find that the concensus supports the notion that Lovecraft was a visionary storyteller with a demonstrated weakness for writing dialogue. We'd also find that many wish they had Poe's knack for over-dramatizing scenes. The thing with Poe, is that he possessed an uncanny sense of timing. He could introduce that whining, cringing, wringing of hands at the most opportune moment and make it seem an appropriate gesture.
Poe's style could be described as moody/trendy, and overly dramatic at times, as was the custom and practice of his horror writing peers of that period. But he also knew what scared us and used it to that end. He raised an already steep dramatic bar for that genre and made it work. A neat trick.
Lovecraft, on the other hand, made us think "ut oh" and "what if..." Another equally hellacious trick.
This takes us back to the "storyteller vs. writer" issue of old.
Both have niches. Rare are the people who can master both elements for these are the true masters of crafting fiction.
Just my 2$...(adjusted for inflation)
Great link, James. Thanks. Just as an added note, I think if we were to poll 500 prolific readers, then another 500 prolific "writers" about this issue, I bet we'd find that the concensus supports the notion that Lovecraft was a visionary storyteller with a demonstrated weakness for writing dialogue. We'd also find that many wish they had Poe's knack for over-dramatizing scenes. The thing with Poe, is that he possessed an uncanny sense of timing. He could introduce that whining, cringing, wringing of hands at the most opportune moment and make it seem an appropriate gesture.
Poe's style could be described as moody/trendy, and overly dramatic at times, as was the custom and practice of his horror writing peers of that period. But he also knew what scared us and used it to that end. He raised an already steep dramatic bar for that genre and made it work. A neat trick.
Lovecraft, on the other hand, made us think "ut oh" and "what if..." Another equally hellacious trick.
This takes us back to the "storyteller vs. writer" issue of old.
Both have niches. Rare are the people who can master both elements for these are the true masters of crafting fiction.
Just my 2$...(adjusted for inflation)
