Challenge - How Distinctive Is Your Writing?

[matriarch]

I think you have hit it, Red. 500 words is not enough to truely demonstrate a writing style, especially, when the writers are so closely matched.

The story I submitted is exactly the way I write everything, except not humorous, which I don't write all the time anyway. Not one guess has come close. However, should the example have been, say, 2000 words, I think it would have been easier to distinguish the writers. At 5000 words, it would have been a total snap.

42 writers....5000 words....total snap to guess, but how many people would read them?

ETA: Crap! I forgot to log the wife out and log myself in.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

42 writers....5000 words....total snap to guess, but how many people would read them?

ETA: Crap! I forgot to log the wife out and log myself in.

That's right. Nobody would read them. But 2000-5000 words is what's needed to really tell one writer's style from another.

Here's a snippit from a much longer piece (60,000 words). No one would know this was mine -

“Horemheb told you if you did as instructed you would see Memphis again,” the aide said pointing at the city in the distance. “You did well. It seems everything went according to plan.”

“What was the flower? I’ve never seen one like it,” Sepet said.

“Yes, the flower. That was something the queen searched for over many months. It was supposed to be a myth, but one was located many miles southeast of Kush,” the soldier grinned knowingly.

“But why would the queen be so generous to one she calls her enemy?”

“Trust me, it was not generosity.”

“I do not understand,” Sepet said, confused.

“Your part in this is over, spy,” the aide said, drawing his sword.

Sepet tried to back away. “No. I have done as the queen asked,” he shrieked in fear.

The aide plunged his sword into Sepet’s throat and held it there. Blood ran onto the aide’s hand and down the spy’s chest. Sepet made gurgling sounds as he slumped to the deck.

The aide and a sailor hefted the still-struggling Sepet to the gunwale and dumped him into the slowly flowing river. Sepet continued to struggle and splash a short while in the current, then there was a large splash and he disappeared under the water.

“Nile Crocodile,” remarked the sailor, as he went back to work.

That's 223 words that could have been written by any writer on Lit.

 

[minsue]

Hmmm....those who want more time apparently intend to use it all. There's certainly no rush to guessing.

 

[Liar]

That's right. Nobody would read them. But 2000-5000 words is what's needed to really tell one writer's style from another.

Here's a snippit from a much longer piece (60,000 words). No one would know this was mine -



That's 223 words that could have been written by any writer on Lit.

Otoh, we've done similar things in the poetry forum before, and then we're talking between ten and a hundred words, with fairly good result. Those who knew a poet's work well could usually identify it.

This is supposed to be flash fiction, which really isn't (or shouldn't be imo) like an excerpt of a full sized story, niether in content nor in style. I think it could be possible to find language, style and theme traits that gives good hint.

 

[Guest]

Otoh, we've done similar things in the poetry forum before, and then we're talking between ten and a hundred words, with fairly good result. Those who knew a poet's work well could usually identify it.

This is supposed to be flash fiction, which really isn't (or shouldn't be imo) like an excerpt of a full sized story, niether in content nor in style. I think it could be possible to find language, style and theme traits that gives good hint.

i just want to pet your head and feed you nuts.

 

[oggbashan]

If I posted 50 words, do you think people would know it was me?

Og

 

[Guest]

If I posted 50 words, do you think people would know it was me?

Og

yes, because of your av.

 

[minsue]

yes, because of your av.

 

[oggbashan]

yes, because of your av.

If I doffed my cake?

Og

 

[Guest]

If I doffed my cake?

Og

i
well, i might be stumped then...do you have a full head of hair?

 

[CharleyH]

Question: How disappointed will you be that your friends (so called) compatriots and assorted acquaintances didn't guess your unique voice? (personally I'm gutted)

edited to add: can we ask MiAmico to increase his collatory efforts at the end of the contest and for Min to apply her calculatory powers to those results and give us chapter and verse on all the data thus gathered?
Best guesser. most guessed and ecksetra.

Your first question is one I had been thinking about when someone here said "Some writers disguise their voice." I am not sure I have ever understood why an author would WANT to attempt a write to hide themselves in this kind of challenge. I always thought the point of this challenge was to make an informed guess based on the fact that a writer is an 'auteur' of sorts (which is why more time is required for me and others to familiarize - and THANKS MIN FOR EXTENDING! ). I don't expect those who do not know my work to guess correctly. However, to answer your question? I do kinda expect those who know my stories and style to guess correctly. Makes me damn proud when they do.

As for the calculations. Why ask Min. Why not do it yourself?

 

[Guest]

As for the calculations. Why ask Min. Why not do it yourself?

im inately lazy.
and math sucks.

 

[CharleyH]

If I posted 50 words, do you think people would know it was me?

Og

Perhaps. We all have writing quirks - I think.

Vella: Yep - math sucks, but Gauche seems to be interested in doing the final tally.

 

[gauchecritic]

Perhaps. We all have writing quirks - I think.

Vella: Yep - math sucks, but Gauche seems to be interested in doing the final tally.

Normally I'd jump on the gosling (I mean jump at the chance) but at the moment I'm stressed (well it says exhaustion on my sick note) and irretrievably lazy anyway.

 

[Guest]

Normally I'd jump on the gosling (I mean jump at the chance) but at the moment I'm stressed (well it says exhaustion on my sick note) and irretrievably lazy anyway.

come rest your head in my lap and ill read to you some tolstoy...you'll be sleeping like a babe before long.

 

[CharleyH]

Normally I'd jump on the gosling (I mean jump at the chance) but at the moment I'm stressed (well it says exhaustion on my sick note) and irretrievably lazy anyway.

lol - Kiss from a distance if sick ... kiss full on if not (not that the difference would matter online - lol) Kisses all around, I guess.

 

[angelicminx]

Your first question is one I had been thinking about when someone here said "Some writers disguise their voice." I am not sure I have ever understood why an author would WANT to attempt a write to hide themselves in this kind of challenge. I always thought the point of this challenge was to make an informed guess based on the fact that a writer is an 'auteur' of sorts (which is why more time is required for me and others to familiarize - and THANKS MIN FOR EXTENDING! ). I don't expect those who do not know my work to guess correctly. However, to answer your question? I do kinda expect those who know my stories and style to guess correctly. Makes me damn proud when they do.

As for the calculations. Why ask Min. Why not do it yourself?

I have to agree. I honestly thought that anyone familiar with my work would be able to guess my writing with ease. On the other hand, I think my writing improves with every story, so maybe not.

 

[CharleyH]

On the other hand, I think my writing improves with every story ...

Agree, which is why I am reading the most recent stories to make my guesses. (can't read everything before Monday.)

 

[Dr_Strabismus]

I'd do it, but my ouvre is too small, so it would be pointless

 

[angelicminx]

Agree, which is why I am reading the most recent stories to make my guesses. (can't read everything before Monday.)

Me either. I'm working two jobs at the moment. I barely have time to breathe. I do get some of tomorrow to work on it though. I printed all of the entries and I'm carrying them with me wherever I go. I've read 4 of them in full and about 1/2 of all the rest. By tomorrow I should have at least a more educated guess.

 

[CharleyH]

I'd do it, but my ouvre is too small, so it would be pointless

Apparently - LOL - it's almost non-existent. lol Good one Dr.S.

 

[CharleyH]

Me either. I'm working two jobs at the moment. I barely have time to breathe. I do get some of tomorrow to work on it though. I printed all of the entries and I'm carrying them with me wherever I go. I've read 4 of them in full and about 1/2 of all the rest. By tomorrow I should have at least a more educated guess.

You are more of a trooper than I am. (Claps and curtseys)

 

[damppanties]

I'd do it, but my ouvre is too small, so it would be pointless

Every time I see that word, I think - ovaries. That makes it... interesting.

Hello, Dr_S. Long time.

 

[Stella_Omega]

Every time I see that word, I think - ovaries. That makes it... interesting.

Hello, Dr_S. Long time.

not to mention, "...my ovaries is too small" is bad grammar

 

[matriarch]

Perhaps. We all have writing quirks - I think.

Vella: Yep - math sucks, but Gauche seems to be interested in doing the final tally.

Min's already done it. Doing it. She had the tables set up to input results as they came in as soon as she had posted all the stories. Its an ongoing thing. She's good like that. Just waiting for any last guesses ( hopefully, including yours), today and tomorrow, and hey presto....statistics galore for anyone that wants them.