A community isn’t built or befriended,
it’s connected by offering and accepting.
Community is affinity, identity, and kinship
that make room for ideas, thoughts, and solutions.
Wherever a community gathers, we aspire and inspire each other intentionally . . . And our words shine with authenticity.
Who Influences the Way that You Write?
We study writing. We can read the work of great writers we admire. We ask for the advice and help of those who’ve mastered some skill, but in the end, all of that advice and input is influence not a handbook. Every blogger and writer finds his or her voice without much help. We practice until we discover which rules work for us. A great writer, a great blogger, gets to be one by doing to it.
Here’s what William said . . .
1. why are âgreat writersâ typically associated with fictional stories?
2. is writing not a form of art left to the eye of the beholder?Iâm told that Hemingway is a great writer⦠What about Orson Scott Card, Bill Bryson, or even the one writing this blog or this comment?
I agree that we (as writers) should be reading great writers, yet I completely disagree at the same time. For example, I have a very unique style of writing⦠The style is simply a reflection of how I speak and teach. Same pauses, inflections, and YELLING⦠sometimes.. Yet the last thing on my list is to sit down and read some Shakespeare, simply because the style is absolutely nothing I can relate to.
Douglas Adams (Last Chance To See) is perhaps the single book with a writing style that I can COMPLETELY relate to and respect. Now, is he a great writer? Certain circles, he is a respected author. This book? Relatively unknown. Bill Bryson is another author, who in my opinion, is absolutely brilliant!
I guess Iâm not entirely sold on reading great writers helps with great writing. I think having a grasp of your chosen language is key, and just simply reading is key. I would sooner read something by a great THINKER than a great writerâ¦
William Tully from a comment on April 5, 2007
A successful and outstanding blogger said that.
–ME “Liz” Strauss