It’s the middle of July 2025. I’m 44.
Today, my English teacher resurrected herself through my voice. I was telling someone how I used to get told off because my writing style was too conversational.
It was today, moments before my teacher arrived, that I saw for the first time, the difference in my words, depending on where there are going.
Before you say it- yes, of course they are different, they serve a different purpose. This is true, but what I’m getting at is style, which can be different too depending on circumstances and platform.
Let me explain;
Here, in my newsletter and on socials, when I’m there, is my most authentic voice. It’s second only to having a conversation with me in real life.
In my short fiction, my style is stranger, perhaps more mystical, spare and bold. I can get away with stuff that is harder to sustain in longer forms.
In my longer fiction, I’m adhering to Style Guides and editing tools. I want to feel like a “real novel writer”. Does that mean I need to conform to these (let’s be honest - patriarchal) standards?
It boils down to understanding. Who is reading my work, and are they able to understand it?
At the moment, this reveal is still quite fresh and raw, like a grazed knee in a playground. I’m still workshopping my thoughts around this discovery and what it means.
But I have questions…
Am I masking my writing style in order to fit into the establishment? (school/publishing, any other hierarchical system)
Should I write for people who I don’t have to explain myself to? And ignore those to whom I feel I must justify my stylistic choices? 1
How much of writing is compromise?
Answers on a postcard, please!
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This essay was prompted by KR Moorhead, I’m taking part in one of her great courses. We read ‘Common Cyborg’ by Jillian Weise as inspiration.
Thank you, Ed