Style

Another long entry, one that invites me to think about how the goals of voice and style in fanfic might differ from other genres. Stern warns us rightly Finding your own style means not falling under the spell of another style, but writers of fanfic are complimented when they write in the style of the source text. A fic author will find things like "the language is very much in keeping with the original," or "the voice is just like the books" or "a great feel for Tolkien's style -- Rowling's style -- O'Brian's style -- C.S. Lewis's style" in her e-mail, and she will consider them huge compliments. I wonder how -- or if -- this dynamic affects fanfic writers.

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The following is an excerpt from Part III of the book Making Shapely Fiction, by Jerome Stern. The first two parts are very much worth reading as well. The book is available in paperback.

( Style )