The House In The Woods (2/2)

Christopher about 5 years ago

I hope this makes sense.

Jeff Taylor about 5 years ago

Christopher, it absolutely makes sense. 😊 Well written. To me it asks the question, can you change so much that the person inside no longer recognises themselves? Really good. Love the dusty floor. Makes me think of my dusty shelves.

Christopher about 5 years ago

Thanks, Jeff. Much appreciated.

Neville Hunt about 5 years ago

This is terrific, and totally unexpected too. Great stuff Christopher. You had me completely fooled. On reading the title of the series, and before reading, I checked to see if it was a true story coming up! I now know it wasn’t.

Christopher about 5 years ago

Thanks, Neville. No, it was inspired by HP Lovecraft. Every time I read one of his short stories I try to write something in his style. I never seem to be able to, but the inspiration usually makes for a good story even if I can't write it like he would.

Jeff Taylor about 5 years ago

Christopher... I love Lovecraft, but good god! He was "Wordy" at times! You have your own voice and style. Stick with it. It's good! 😊

Neville Hunt about 5 years ago

I have to admit to being a philistine. I don’t know HP Lovecraft... but I’ll check him out. Your telling of this tale is fresh and as Jeff has said, you have your own voice and style and I’m sure it’s not derivative.

And anyway, whilst personally I endeavour not to copy style and content of anyone, I’m certain that sometimes I do, unconsciously, and that it’s inevitable. But personally I’m OK with that, because to quote 20thC philosopher Guy Debord, “ideas improve... plagiarism is necessary...”

Christopher about 5 years ago

Thanks, guys.

Well, I never intentionally copy content, except my old jokes series. But I do enjoy matching the tone, if not the exact style, of authors I admire, like the aforementioned Lovecraft, or guys like Raymond Chandler and Ian Fleming. I can't pull it off like I intended but it's a good source of inspiration anyway.

Christopher about 5 years ago

Neville, hplovecraft.com has most if not all of his writings available for free.

Neville Hunt about 5 years ago

Thanks Christopher, I’ll check it out. Please don’t think I was remotely suggesting you might be copying; I was referring to myself, although apart from John Betjeman, I haven’t read any of the authors that some things I’ve written have been compared to, so unless it was all floating in the ether, I’m probably in the clear.

Christopher about 5 years ago

No, I didn't think that. I was just clarifying about being inspired to write like a particular person. I don't want to be someone else but I guess I draw inspiration from them and then write it like I would, which I suppose is what you should be doing anyway.

Christopher about 5 years ago

Thanks, Drew.