Finding Poe discussion

Those who have read FINDING POE already know that the prose is far from contemporary. The first-person narrator is a young noblewoman, and it was only right that the language reflect that as much as possible without becoming disruptive. More importantly, the story uses language similar to that which one might find in a Poe story, and the language and use of imagery help to add Poe's unique flavor of darkness and terror.

I'd love to know what readers have been thinking about the prose. I was delighted the other day to read in horror author Byran Hall's 5-star review: "The style is very similar to old literary horror writers like Poe himself or HP Lovecraft, and I'll admit that it may not be for everyone just for that fact - today's modern style of writing is a bit different and some may go into this expecting something else."

Writing in such a way was an interesting undertaking for me, and shifting into just the right gear took time (and maybe a little ritualistic undertaking of his muse). Technically speaking, I compare shifting style very closely to singing the harmony to a song. Once you find one or two of the right notes, finding and singing a harmony line (which can be vastly different than the melody) can be fun and easy. In writing that uses an altogether different voice, the key is looking at today's language as a melody and an author's shift in voice as one of many harmonies. Finding it might be hard, but once a writer does find it, sticking with it is as easy as singing the harmony for the chorus to your favorite song.

I can't say enough how great it feels when someone catches important details such as that one. Just as great is when someone catches the novel's big hook, one I have found only about half of its readers really to have done (and this surprises me). However, it's very exciting when readers get the full depth of a book, because I do work hard to make my writing say something beyond the face value of its words. I love being able to connect with other people on that level.

I would also love readers' observations on the shifts in voice between FINDING POE, WORLD-MART, and MYTHS OF GODS, and how those shifts reflect the muses (influences, etc.) that vary between the novels.