Picking a style for your story.

[JasonClearwater]

So, I've tried a few things now, over the course of the last year. I set out to learn how to write erotica, and I've tried on a few different stylistic coats to see if they fit.

I've tried dressing the language up, stripping it down, brutalising it, glazing it with honey, and leaving it stranded on the lower east side without a travel pass, to see what would happen.

And I still don't feel I have a style I can lay claim to. In fact, every time I write, I'm trying on a different voice (even if the differences are only marginal to my readers, there's conscious effort on my part to keep evolving).

The conclusion I've come to, is that no one style is going to be suitable for every story I want to write.

I wondered if other writers do that. Have different styles for different types of stories they want to tell. Or do you have a voice you're sure of, that you use for everything?

 

[TxRad]

An interesting question.

I guess I was lucky, I fell into my style from the get go. I've always considered myself more of a storyteller than a writer so my 'write the way people talk' seemed to fit what i was doing. It still does here on lit in most cases. Sometimes a character or characters will pull me out out of it but it is not as comfortable as my usual way of writing.

I do the same thing in my mainstream writing but it is well edited by an editor who understands my style. She does her thing but leaves me a wide margin. It works well. A good editor who can do that is worth their weight in gold and hard to find.

Finding the right style that fits how you write and what you write makes things so much easier. You write faster and the flow falls into place easier.

 

[JasonClearwater]

An interesting question.

I guess I was lucky, I fell into my style from the get go. I've always considered myself more of a storyteller than a writer so my 'write the way people talk' seemed to fit what i was doing. It still does here on lit in most cases. Sometimes a character or characters will pull me out out of it but it is not as comfortable as my usual way of writing.

I do the same thing in my mainstream writing but it is well edited by an editor who understands my style. She does her thing but leaves me a wide margin. It works well. A good editor who can do that is worth their weight in gold and hard to find.

Finding the right style that fits how you write and what you write makes things so much easier. You write faster and the flow falls into place easier.

Agreed. Constantly thinking about style slows things down. Nothing worse than labouring through writing, instead of having it flowing.

 

[BiscuitHammer]

Jeez, I dunno. I like to think my style feels personal at the best of times, and that people can get invested in my characters, but I think overall, my style is still best described as narmy. And I sure don't want that the be my style.

The best compliment I ever received about my writing style is that it was 'reminiscent of Dumas'. Which I took to mean that my writing is exciting and engaging, but otherwise about as deep as a rain slick. I emote well, but nothing truly meaningful will ever happen.

And this guy was an actual publication editor, so I'm assuming he knew what he was talking about.

So there you have it- Dumas, and his successor, Dumbass. Whee...

 

[ElectricBlue]

When different people at different times, and for different stories, use the same words - smooth, languid, slow, lyrical, almost poetic (but not quite, obviously), like a river flowing, listening to stories by your feet - I guess that means I've got a "style".

I suppose that means I apply a fairly consistent voice to my writing - I don't know if that's good or bad. I don't think about it much, if at all. It's how I write.

I don't think I could consciously "adopt" a style - I don't even know what it is that characterises my own writing.

 

[Blind_Justice]

Considering that I'm basically a D&D game master masquerading as a writer, I'm not sure if I have developed anything akin to a unique style. From going back and re-reading my own crap, I can at least tell that the stories I've written in 3rd person view are more "neutral" in tone, while those in 1st person reflect my own voice quite strongly.

 

[Gentleman_G]

I think I've developed my own style over the years and it's probably "tl;dr"
But I'd guess I'm more of a storyteller than a writer. Even with my technical documents it looks like I'm trying to get some story out of it, much to the dismay of my superiors.

My style is pretty apparent in all my works, but it has some variety based on which characters and plot I use. So sometimes I'm more descriptive, other times I lay it thick on the suspense, but in general my characters think, ponder and doubt. That never changes much.

 

[lovecraft68]

An interesting question.

I guess I was lucky, I fell into my style from the get go. I've always considered myself more of a storyteller than a writer so my 'write the way people talk' seemed to fit what i was doing. It still does here on lit in most cases. Sometimes a character or characters will pull me out out of it but it is not as comfortable as my usual way of writing.

I do the same thing in my mainstream writing but it is well edited by an editor who understands my style. She does her thing but leaves me a wide margin. It works well. A good editor who can do that is worth their weight in gold and hard to find.

Finding the right style that fits how you write and what you write makes things so much easier. You write faster and the flow falls into place easier.

I fall under this. I tell stories and am only a writer because they're stories for people to read.

I have an easy style. No ten dollar words or purple prose. I'm a little windy, but its because I like to paint the picture in vivid detail, just like I do when I tell a joke or story in person.

A great compliment I received once was from SecondCircle who told me that reading my style was like kicking back in that old comfortable recliner and listening to a friend talk.

There's nothing pretentious about my writing, there is no style no "so I went for this and I used this device, and mixed this style and..."

Someone, a literary erotica type, told me they loved my use of unreliable narrator.

I had to google unreliable narrator.

I have worked on my grammar and technical issues, but as far as style I just sit and what comes out comes out.

Not dissing anyone that strives for different or likes to experiment, but for me it falls under keep it simple stupid.

 

[lovecraft68]

Considering that I'm basically a D&D game master masquerading as a writer, I'm not sure if I have developed anything akin to a unique style. From going back and re-reading my own crap, I can at least tell that the stories I've written in 3rd person view are more "neutral" in tone, while those in 1st person reflect my own voice quite strongly.

Psst....your Fiend Folio is showing

 

[oggbashan]

As usual, I think the answer to the original question is:

Whatever works for that particular story.

In the past I have taken a virtually complete story and rewritten it from a different point of view, or in a different style to see whether it would work better after the changes.

It usually doesn't. What it might do is show that the story was fatally flawed and beyond redemption.

 

[Voboy]

This is one of the many joys of sticking with first-person. Your style can depend on the narrator.

The style I choose for a given story is always based on the narrator’s gender, background, education, hang ups, etc. The way I see it, none of them is really “my” style. It’s always “the narrator’s” style.

 

[Kantarii]

I’m going to agree with what TxRad touched on about ‘writing the way people talk’. I dedicate a lot of my stories to “humanizing” my characters through emotions and hand gestures, more so with my recent works. As far as finding a “style”, I like to think I’ve found mine after a lot of research and examining other written work to find out what works best for me. At one point, when I realized my writing style was where I thought it should be, I started to go back and update some of my older stories. Eventually, I will do it to the rest as I’m content with how I write today compared to two years ago.
Kant

 

[NotWise]

I wondered if other writers do that. Have different styles for different types of stories they want to tell. Or do you have a voice you're sure of, that you use for everything?

So far, I have a fall-back third person narrator who relates most of my stories, but I don't find that voice to be the best way to tell every story. I've told a couple in first person, and I've told a couple with a story teller as the narrator.

It's possible that those are all the same style, if you break down what "style" means to basic components.

 

[ElectricBlue]

This is one of the many joys of sticking with first-person. Your style can depend on the narrator.

What's first person got to do with it?

You can have all sorts of third person narrators, but that's voice.

Style to me is more the use of language - minimalist or purple prose, description rich or very light touch, lots of dialogue or minimal dialogue, that sort of thing.

I think someone who read my first person and my third person stories would still recognise my 'style', regardless of the point of view.

 

[jomar]

I’ve written in multiple categories and have absolutely experimented with writing style. I don’t think I’ve written as such searching for my voice but more as Ogg notes, what seems to fit the story.

I think that if I wrote more in a particular genre I’d settle down and my style would naturally emerge.

ETA: Upon what reflection can be had while watching Duke/Kansas, my style would probably settle around some version of my stories “a good marriage” and “chase cooder,” pretty mainstream probably.

 

[Voboy]

What's first person got to do with it?

You can have all sorts of third person narrators, but that's voice.

Style to me is more the use of language - minimalist or purple prose, description rich or very light touch, lots of dialogue or minimal dialogue, that sort of thing.

I think someone who read my first person and my third person stories would still recognise my 'style', regardless of the point of view.

Plenty.

If your narrator is a toff, then a more formal style comes naturally. If he’s taciturn, then a lack of dialogue can help convey that without exposition. If she’s undereducated, use of semicolons can help with a more stream-of-consciounesss feel, while still retaining readability. The style can vary, as needed, to reinforce the narrator’s characteristics. Again, that helps having to avoid description.

My feedback indicates my readers pay attention to such things.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Plenty.

If your narrator is a toff, then a more formal style comes naturally. If he’s taciturn, then a lack of dialogue can help convey that without exposition. If she’s undereducated, use of semicolons can help with a more stream-of-consciounesss feel, while still retaining readability. The style can vary, as needed, to reinforce the narrator’s characteristics. Again, that helps having to avoid description.

My feedback indicates my readers pay attention to such things.

Agree, but there's nothing unique about first person that you can't also do in third. Third person allows you to do all the things you've just noted, as well as giving your narrator another, distinct voice, if that's what you want to do.

 

[nosebone]

As others have mentioned, I like to tell stories, they just happen to have sex scenes. I've been scolded for too much dialogue, but I feel it makes the story better. Long, drawn out paragraphs describing how he picked up from the tilt of her head she desired him are not my cup of tea. I was never good at picking up those signs in person, let alone writing them.

I like to have background on my characters. I try to give them a place and make them more human. There are several elements that are missing from my style that I need to work on. One in particular, music. I rarely mention music which in retrospect I find unusual given my 4,500+ album collection.

I have no idea why I don't think about this when I'm writing. Two college kids hanging out, they're like going to be listening to something. I think it's an element that I need to work on, as I feel it would give a potential reader more of a connection to a story. Unless of course they never lost their virginity to the Bangle's "Walk like an Egyptian."

 

[Hypoxia]

IMHO every tale demands its own style. Viewpoint, tone & attitude, intent, time & place, any desired effects -- all shape the style. I don't put the same words into the mouths of 19th century adventurers, 1960s hippies, and 21st century digiterati. nor of participants in incest, fetishes, and fantasies. I vary the language if I want to evoke humor, satire & absurdity, romance, raw lust, confusion, tragedy, whatever. Yeah, whatever it takes, just do it.

 

[JasonClearwater]

Agree, but there's nothing unique about first person that you can't also do in third. Third person allows you to do all the things you've just noted, as well as giving your narrator another, distinct voice, if that's what you want to do.

Plenty.

If your narrator is a toff, then a more formal style comes naturally. If he’s taciturn, then a lack of dialogue can help convey that without exposition. If she’s undereducated, use of semicolons can help with a more stream-of-consciounesss feel, while still retaining readability. The style can vary, as needed, to reinforce the narrator’s characteristics. Again, that helps having to avoid description.

My feedback indicates my readers pay attention to such things.

IMHO every tale demands its own style. Viewpoint, tone & attitude, intent, time & place, any desired effects -- all shape the style. I don't put the same words into the mouths of 19th century adventurers, 1960s hippies, and 21st century digiterati. nor of participants in incest, fetishes, and fantasies. I vary the language if I want to evoke humor, satire & absurdity, romance, raw lust, confusion, tragedy, whatever. Yeah, whatever it takes, just do it.

Safe to say, you're exploring more than one genre then, and varying your style accordingly. As opposed to sticking to a particular niche.

 

[Jada59]

I think I use the same style for novels and short stories but anything goes with the poetry.

 

[Hypoxia]

Safe to say, you're exploring more than one genre then, and varying your style accordingly. As opposed to sticking to a particular niche.

Not a single niche, and yes, a few genres, but I don't try to nail a style to a niche. Each tale demands its own tone and approach. I'm consistent within a series (usually) but not in a more loosely-related story cycle or LIT category. Clarity is my goal.

Repetition bores me. I like surprises. Producing consistent fiction is great if you're paid for it, but then it's a job. I see writing erotica as a game and a puzzle. How can I fit these unlikely elements into a coherent piece? What tricks can I play en route? What surprise O.Henry ending can I finesse?

And, what does a story tell me it wants to be? Is it comedy, tragedy, farce, romance, mystery, history, raw stroker, parody, picaresque, obsessive, vignette, epic, or a mix? The voices in my head let me know, sometimes.

Then I steal styles. Try to think and sound like my favorite reads. Note how authors use details, images, thoughts, structures. I call it, learning at the feet of the Mistresses (and Masters).

 

[JasonClearwater]

Not a single niche, and yes, a few genres, but I don't try to nail a style to a niche. Each tale demands its own tone and approach. I'm consistent within a series (usually) but not in a more loosely-related story cycle or LIT category. Clarity is my goal.

Repetition bores me. I like surprises. Producing consistent fiction is great if you're paid for it, but then it's a job. I see writing erotica as a game and a puzzle. How can I fit these unlikely elements into a coherent piece? What tricks can I play en route? What surprise O.Henry ending can I finesse?

And, what does a story tell me it wants to be? Is it comedy, tragedy, farce, romance, mystery, history, raw stroker, parody, picaresque, obsessive, vignette, epic, or a mix? The voices in my head let me know, sometimes.

Then I steal styles. Try to think and sound like my favorite reads. Note how authors use details, images, thoughts, structures. I call it, learning at the feet of the Mistresses (and Masters).

This is my approach, too. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

 

[TxRad]

Writing styles can go out of fashion.

That might make an interesting study by some English major. Probably been done but what do I know.

 

[8letters]

I'm still trying to master my basic style. In my next story (hopefully published tomorrow), I worked on providing narration of longer dialogues instead of having just three to six lines of bare dialog. I think it made the story better.

My basic style is first-person narration. Mainly male, but sometimes female. I lay everything out for the reader so hopefully the only questions in my readers' heads are the questions I want there. I write long stories with plots that are complex for porn.

I've got one story started that's a radical departure in style for me. I started writing it as a first-person female narration and it wasn't very good. Then someone on the AH wrote "I hate 'Dear Reader' stories" and I decided that the "Dear Reader" style would be perfect for it.

Dear reader,

I need your advice about my cousin and me. We’re involved. Well, we’re sort of involved. He’s kind of my boyfriend. No, that’s not right - he’s isn’t my boyfriend at all.

It’s complicated, so let me start at the beginning. I’m Casey and my cousin is Trent. I’m a sophomore at a major state university and he’s a junior. We’re complete opposites. He’s a brainiac with a full scholarship and makes top grades in ceramic engineering. I’m making good-but-not-great grades in English. He’s very introverted, almost to the point of being anti-social. I’m very outgoing. I love living in the dorms. He hated it and after his sophomore year moved into a school-owned studio apartment adjacent to campus. He’s perfectly happy spending his evenings in his apartment. I love going to movies and sporting events. His Facebook account has zero posts. I love Facebook. The games he plays and the music he listens to have no appeal to me and vice versa.

To me, the story works much better with Casey engaging directly with the readers.