On Vox: QotD: Ghost Writer
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If you could write like one fiction author, who would it be?
Submitted by Marilyn.
I'm inclined to say Chuck Palahniuk, because I'm such a fan of everything that he does. Not only is he an Oregon native, bounding around some of the same places that I tread, but his stripped down minimalism brings such joy to readers used to overly ornate language that means nothing.
But I don't know that writing like him would be the best thing I could accomplish. There are already plenty of people trying to unsuccessfully ape his style. Nope, instead I wish that I had the emotional touch of Philip Pullman, who has such a richness to his writing that you're held spellbound by every turn of golden phrase. Honestly, when I read "The Golden Compass" I was astounded that Pullman, as highly praised as he is, hasn't been more celebrated on the level of Hemmingway and the like.
I hope that in retrospect he gains the respect that he so obviously has earned.
Originally posted on lightsoutfilms.vox.com