WRITING: Style

I suppose style (of the writer) ecompasses the elements of narrative structure, voice, story, etc.  It is the addition of learned skills as a refinement to whatever basic talent with which a writer may naturally be blessed.

In reading some more of the stories in Ploughshares, I have come across a gem of writing style (and will share some of it in a post in a bit) that has me reeling once more with this strongest of self-doubts:  I really don’t even have a "way with words."

The style of an author can shine through any narrative voice to leave its mark on a story.  Whether it is seen as a technique visible and identifiable in itself, such as Margaret Atwood’s underlying irony or if it is the whole package of clearly thought out narrative that includes flawless use of the tools of imagery and story arc, it will be what carries the reader along in the book seeking each page as a trip through a tale.

I just don’t have it.  I recognize it when I see it, am awed by the particular phrase or paragraph or scene or plot that is uniquely contrived to its best possible use of each word, but I’m now seeing my own writing as awfully dreary and dull.  Even as I evaluate and rewrite, the right turn of words just doesn’t come to replace the blahness.

I wish there were a way to get what is in my head magically onto page in a form that says Wow.  Or maybe it just isn’t there.  I am a believer in that most things can be learned, but all will not put into practice that learning to the same degree and most will never reach the highest point though they will be the best they can be.  I may have reached my apex, and it just is not that good, at least for narrative story.

Maybe I’ll go back to shooting my bow and arrow.