Indie Authors Monthly Magazine For Authors and Readers discussion

Just curious. For me I benchmark everything on Lord of the Rings for description and Dune for dialogue (I have no idea why but the people seem remarkably intellectual in that one.

Of course, I doubt I'll ever reach a similar level of mastery, but I'll certainly go for it. I'm also quite influence by Isaac Asimov's philosophical element.

I only establish a benchmark and compare one book with another if each is written by the same author.

Jim wrote: "I only establish a benchmark and compare one book with another if each is written by the same author."

What about specific elements, such as character development, conversation or narrative? These tend to be quite comparable to each other - as long as the time period and culture are the same.

S. wrote: "Jim wrote: "I only establish a benchmark and compare one book with another if each is written by the same author."

What about specific elements, such as character development, conversation or narr..."

Although I have an eclectic taste when it comes to genre, once I am impressed by an author's specific approach to writing, narration style, and plot development, I will seek out other books written by him/her. There are 110 books on my shelves, but they are written by only 67 different authors.

I avoid amateurish writers who blatantly and obviously mimic the styles of successful authors. Since the authors of the books I read each has his/her unique style and, therefore, a different approach than the others, any attempt to compare the writing of one to the other would be akin to comparing an apple to an orange. The varied styles and idiosyncrasies are the reason why I follow different authors.

It really depends. It really does have to be a pretty close for me to compare.

Serena wrote: "It really depends. It really does have to be a pretty close for me to compare."

So no elements you compare as a benchmark regardless of genre?

S. wrote: "Serena wrote: "It really depends. It really does have to be a pretty close for me to compare."

So no elements you compare as a benchmark regardless of genre?"

Well, I do compare plots.