As is evident by the mere existence of this blog, I have delusions of writing grandeur. Some people fantasize about being a movie star or living like a king; I fantasize about book interviews. Hey, it could happen!
I recently found a toy to add to my dream state. It is called "I WRITE LIKE". You submit some text, click the analyze button and viola you now know whose writing style you follow. Could not be easier. I pick out a few pieces and cross my fingers that my work will resemble the greatest, significant writers the world has ever known. I don't want a David Sedaris (sorry sir) but I would love a David Eggers. Dare I dream of real classics - Mary Shelly, John Updike, Jack London, Ernest Hemingway, Shakespeare. Hey again it could happen!
I submitted two flash fiction stories to be analyzed. These are the writing samples I am most proud of and encouraged by. One fiction claimed I write like Raymond Chandler. Really? He is one of the greatest detective novelist but I can't really see it. Next...Douglas Adams. Who the hell is that? Fortunately the marketing geniuses at Amazon allow me to immediately click to all of my fellow writer's books for ease of purchase. Dougie boy is the author of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I thought this book was ridiculous and the movie competes with Lord of the Rings for my longest and most painful cinematic experience. I am in trouble.
New approach, I will submit some blog entries. Now we have something and I am feeling a little better as David Foster Wallace pops up. Granted I have never read one of his books but coincidentally Infinite Jest is on my TO READ NEXT list. All three blog samples resulted in David Foster Wallace. So this must really work right? It is consistent. Now I have to read him.
I should have stopped there, but now I had to press my luck. One more blog entry. Just when I was starting to buy it, I was analyzed with Margaret Atwood. I read many of her books and love her. The problem is the blog I submitted is NOTHING like her, I am sorry to say.
Either way, I am loving this. This little exercise took about 2 hours of my time and will be a regular game for me. What a brilliant concept. It grabs you, so return visits to the site are guaranteed. The site is getting a targeted audience so advertisers should be thrilled. Amazon immediately allows you to purchase a book by your alter ego writer. Try it - you will be hooked.
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I've picked up "Infinite Jest" three times. Difficult read. In between those three times, I read "Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself" to help me understand his writing better. It's an interview with Wallace while he's on a book tour road trip. I loved this book so much more than his "Infinite Jest". My favorite thing he says in this book is "But the fact of the matter is, is that, is that the job that we're here to do is to learn how to live in a way that we're not terrified all the time." Which leads me to believe was the crux of his depression and the pressure that he put on himself that lead to his eventual suicide. I wish I could have met him. Seems he was a divine mind. So, if you're writing like him, bravo!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the book recommendation. I will pick it up. You have to try this site. It is addictive.
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