By
Che’Rae Adams
What is style? How is a writer’s style
determined or defined? How does a writer
discover their style?
I determine style by the language in the piece.
For example, common everyday language and rhythm
usually indicates realism, whereas nonsensical
language with nonsequetors might inform me that
the piece is more abstract. But how does a
writer develop their style? Is it something that
develops over time and much practice?
José Rivera says in his 36 Assumptions About
Writing Plays that “…Learning to write well is
the stuff of workshops. Learning good habits and
practicing hard. But finding your authentic
voice as a writer is your business, your journey
— a private, lonely, inexact, painful, slow and
frustrating voyage. Teachers and mentors can
only bring you closer to that voice. With luck
and time, you’ll get there on your own.”
I think style is something that you can develop
over time, and it can also be what sets you
apart from other writers. For example, if I said
that I thought you had a style similar to David
Mamet, then I would mean the language is
realistic, staccato, abrupt, and sometimes curt.
“Shakespearian Style” would mean flowery, poetic
language, perhaps even written in iambic
pentameter. Just as I feel that talent cannot be
taught, I do not think that a writer’s style can
be taught. I think these are things that you
come into the room with. However, I do believe
that I can teach tools to help you experiment
with your style, which I hope will lead you to
your authentic voice.
Try this exercise to play with finding your
style!
Choose something from both lists below
1)“rhythm” and something from 2) “emotional
extremes” and experiment with writing a scene or
monologue:
List One: Rhythm: The rhythm of the dialogue is
key to your style. Use as many of these as
possible, varying and experimenting with:
Sounds
Silences
Cadence
Fragments
Speed
Elongated sentences
Beats per line
Interruptions
Volume
Overlapping conversation
Density
Nonsense
Non-Sequitors
Foreign language
List Two: Emotional extremes: Don’t be afraid to
push emotional extremes while writing or
rewriting: Pick one of these and vary them
within the dialogue:
Sexy
Frightening
Violent
Loud
Irrational
Stupid
Sloppy
Colorful
Frightening
Che’Rae Adams is the Producing Artistic Director
of the Los Angeles Writers Center
Che’Rae
Adams
http://www.cheraeadams.com
