The Importance of a Good Writing Style

Have you ever stopped partway through reading an amazing book, just to appreciate the beautiful way the author has compiled completely abstract and random words to tell a beautiful story? This is a superb writing style and, personally, I will not call a book "good" if it does not have a brilliant writing style.

Many times I have found myself crying my eyeballs out over a book and later, after I have regained my strength, I have asked myself "why?". The obvious answer is "the character just died" or "her little sister has the plague" or even "she got separated from her family" but when it comes down to it, I am of the opinion that the writing style is a key element in the tear-jerking ability of the book.

For example, if a character were to die it would be a lot less tear-jerking if the author simply said "unfortunately, he died" or "due to the enemy's fire, the girl was shot and killed". Death and tragedy are to be handled with delicacy and, in books, only the correct writing style can provide this. However, in some genres (for example, psychological thriller) this is unnecessary if the narrator does not believe death is to be handled with subtlety. If the narrator is a serial killer, then the death of a character should be narrated in such a way that it makes the reader terrified.

The same can be said for the element of happiness in any book. It is much better if the author builds up to a positive emotional climax by using beautiful wording that develops the reader's anticipation.

Overall, writing style is of the utmost importance to ANY novel. It can be manipulated and changed from genre to genre but its main purpose is not only to tell the reader a story but to make them feel intensely. The emotions vary throughout the story but the reader should never be left feeling detached and I am of the opinion that the writing style of a book is extremely important in the entertainment and emotional response of any reader's experience. All the other elements of a novel are also key, but in their own individual way. Writing style, is vital to the reader's emotional reaction and the overall beauty of the story.

By Jess