I try to find a style that matches the book. In the…
“I try to find a style that matches the book. In the Baroque Cycle, I got infected with the prose style of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, which is my favorite era. It's recent enough that it is easy to read - easier than Elizabethan English - but it's pre-Victorian and so doesn't have the pomposity that is often a problem with 19th-century English prose. It is earthy and direct and frequently hilarious.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The author prefers a prose style that is clear, earthy, and humorous, avoiding overly ornate language of earlier periods.
In simple terms: Choosing a readable, witty style over pretentious prose.
Write clearly and humorously, avoiding unnecessary pomposity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- editing
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does style affect reader engagement?
- What balance works for your own writing?
May limit depth for readers seeking elaborate language.