HomeStyle
by Carol Smallwood
Style is impossible to see in your own writing even though you automatically detect it in the writing of others. The more you write, the more you want words to flow effortlessly. Once you don't have to think where the letters of the keyboard are, words flow so much faster and thinking of them brings make mistakes. Really a remarkable process-that automatic pressing of keys to form words whether copying someone else's or writing in the moment--not unlike driving a car, turning on the television, and the hundreds of things we do without thinking every day.
The word, style, is often associated with the fashion world; my dictionary gives 18 versions of style used as a noun or verb. But as far as writers, it means the way sentences are put together. Are they wordy, awkward, unclear, involve poor word choice, too artsy, too chatty, choppy, or just plain boring?
John Galsworthy, a Nobel laureate (1867-1933), who enjoyed a revival with the very successful television series, The Forsyte Saga, is a writer I keep reading because of his style. He gives an excellent definition of it in a 1923 address: "Style is the power in a writer to remove all barriers between himself and his reader-the triumph of style is the creation of intimacy." No matter if it is short stories, novels, plays, essays, letters, Galsworthy is a master.
In his preface to W.H. Hudson's Green Mansions, he wrote: "Style should not obtrude between a writer and his reader; it should be servant, not master. To use words so true and simple, that they oppose no obstacle to the flow of thought and feeling from mind to mind, and yet by juxtaposition of word-sounds set up in the recipient continuing emotion or gratification-this is the essence of style; and Hudson's writing has pre-eminently this double quality."
Style has been compared with fingerprints: it is ours alone whether we like it or not. We may try and imitate other writers, but style is so personal, readers will be able to tell the difference. We are all unique and style reflects that, adding to that special flavor and fabric of words.
Style? You have one already. Just become more aware of it in others and yours can't but become even more distinctive.
Carol Smallwood's over four dozen books include Women on Poetry: Writing, Revising, Publishing and Teaching on Poets & Writers Magazine list of Best Books for Writers. Carol has founded, supports humane societies. Contact Carol.
