The one last piece to the puzzle. You have to read.
And read, and read, and read some more.
I began reading mysteries, primarily Perry Mason, in the seventh grade. Since then, it's been detective mystery fiction. I read primarily pulp authors. 1920-1935.
My challenge is to bring that style to the present day, without all the noir. Without the guns, without the fights, killers, drunks, without the dames with brass knuckles. A modern hero, college educated, keeping his head down. Think James Gardner's Rockford, not Joe Pesci's Nicky Santoro (Casino). Sherlock Holmes without the morphine and cocaine. Think Hannibal Lectre turn good guy, without the cannibalism, the weird speech and that hockey mask.
He's/She's a lover rather than a fighter, but none the less strong and forceful, certainly not boring, (the death knell for any author.) He thinks through the problems, rather than simply leading with a stiff left jab. But he's still not perfect. (Maybe he's trying to conquer this thing he has for watching too many F-Troop reruns?) To be honest, I'd like him to be as exciting as Hannibal is scary!
So, here what I did and still do, and I suggest you do the same.
Read half an hour (minimum) every day. Facebook, Twitter, can wait 'til later.
You want to find authors (fiction or non-fiction) that you like to read. Then read everything by that author you can find. The more you read their style the more their style will lodge in your brain.
Why read?
You're looking for a style you like. The way you'd like to write. So when you write, then read it back, you'll know when it sounds, 'right.' Does it sound like what you've been reading? It'll never sound exactly the same. Your own personal style will develop. Just keep reading it back until it sounds, 'right.' You'll know.
Next find your genre. Is it non-fiction, children books, murder mystery, cozy mystery, erotica, adventure/thriller, Sci-Fi? Whatever. Go to Amazon/books and check their list of genres. There's a ton. Most likely though, you'll follow your favorite author's genre. People buy books by genre, so you have to find one.
Try this. I found books at the library of short stories. (Mine where Black Mask stories, detective stories, pulp mysteries.) Chose authors with a style you like. Then find and read their books. You're looking for your writing style. Right now I'm reading a book by Rich Cohen, about the 1985 Chicago Bears, 'Monsters.' I don't usually read non-fiction, but I like his style. He follows the '50 Tools.' (Blog #4)
One thing to remember. Most books have been professionally edited, so they will sound way beyond your present ability, "I'll never be able to write this good. It’s impossible. Why did I ever think I could...”
Stop.
Most books take years to write. Not only that, many are written by groups of writers, with the famous author's name on the cover, so it sells. Don't think you can't do it. You can. I did. Just this way.
So, find your author and genre, and read as much as you can. You want to lock that style in your head. Simple as that. You have to read, and read, and read some more.
And that's it!
Next Blog post is the summary. I'll go over it all again. All 5 posts. Trust me, it's all you'll need.
Together we can get this done.
Later...
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