Thursday, October 04, 2007

A writer to emulate

I try to use different styles of writing for different stories. Now, I'm sure I have a basic, subconscious style limited by my vocabulary, language and brain power. But, overall, I try to not sound the same from short story to short story, unless I'm maybe when I'm using a serial character.

However, for my trilogy of novels, I have a style I try to keep flowing throughout.

And now I think I've found a writer I somewhat emulate, though not necessarily intentionally.

I'm talking about David Gemmell. I'm not saying I'm as good a writer as Gemmell, because for one thing he had much more experience than myself. And, I've only read a third of a novel by him and nothing more. But so far, as I make my way through "Waylander," I see a writer after my own heart when it comes to style.

There's not a lot of exposition. There's basically action and dialogue, which is what I am trying to do with my trilogy.

I've never felt comfortable comparing myself to any professional novelist until now, but that's because I had not run across another writer who I felt wrote in the way I do, or at least in the way I try to write. I considered Salvatore and Glen Cook, but those didn't really fit (Cook was close), but now I've got Gemmell.

I think I'll be reading a lot more David Gemmell in the future. Too bad he's no longer with us.

4 comments:

Rogue Blades Entertainment said...

Druss and Skilgannon books are what I've read. Loved 'em. Working on the Troy books. Pretty good. Plan to tackle his other series eventually.

Gemmell is definitely a man to read. Adventure literature and our genres lost a great writer with his passing.

Rogue Blades Entertainment said...

oh, and didn't I tell you a ways back to pick him up?

Huh?

Ty said...

Yes, you told me to pick him up. In fact, it was because of you I picked this book up (that and I read somewhere online where a reviewer compared "Waylander" to "The Outlaw Josey Wales," which I definitely see). Just now getting around to reading it.

Rogue Blades Entertainment said...

That's a pretty cool comparison. Interesting, too. Still looking forward to that review.

Speaking of reviews, do you realize I've been reading the same book since July?! Hot diggity darnation, man, what is happening to me?!