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meridian_roseEnd of Section Exercise: Choose one classic author and one modern author. Write a paragraph or two for each, original or fanfiction, mimicking their style as closely as possible. What do you notice about the different styles? Record your thoughts at the end of the exercise.
This was a challenging exercise. I used this site to give me an outline:
The theme of this story: romantic adventure. The main character: mysterious archivist. The start of the story: critical injury. The end of the story: intimidation.
I wrote the same basic story opening for both styles. For the classical style I read the opening paragraphs on online versions of some Bronte and Dickens – in particular I used the opening of 'A Christmas Carol' for inspiration. The story here is told in the current style – that is, it is modern for the author and audience, though classical to us.
For the modern style, I've used the same story, but from a historical novel angle. That is, I have not updated the story but retold the story happening in the same period but from the perspective of a modern author and audience. I'm not sure I'm explaining myself that well, but that was my intent when I wrote these two pieces. I had no particular author in mind for the modern piece, although I'm reading an Anna Campbell historical romance at the moment which I may be drawing upon for inspiration.
It was an interesting exercise. I don't know how successful I was at it – concrit is very welcome – and I'm not sure what I learnt, except that I'm probably not cut out to write in the classical style.
Classical
Annabelle was an archivist. Not for pay, mind, for she was of noble birth and had no need of money. Indeed payment for her services would mar her reputation. The archive itself was unique and few could or would want to maintain it.
On a cold day in late November, when dark rain clouds hung over London, Egbert Dowd was badly injured. It was said that he stepped out in front of the carriage without looking, and by the time the driver had stopped, Dowd had been trampled upon.
Annabelle was quite certain it was no accident. Dowd was the senior archivist of the collection, and he was now the third holder of this honoured position to fall victim to a mysterious accident. Annabelle was, temporarily, the senior archivist. You should understand that she had never wanted such responsibility nor the danger that post carried with it. It would be a discredit to her to insinuate however that she hesitated even one whit when faced with taking on the mantle of senior archivist. She was brave and noble, and no man could find her lacking in her resoluteness to carry out any and all duties given to or expected of her.
Modern
Annabelle sipped her tea, trying to calm the pounding of her heart.
"He will probably live," she told herself, repeating the physicians words aloud. The terrible responsibility that now lay on her shoulders, that of Senior Archivist, would be temporary – Acting Senior Archivist, by rights. That thought gave her some comfort.
Annabelle was convinced Dowd's injuries were not as a result of an accident. Similar freak accidents had befallen the two previous post holders, though they had died, and Dowd had not. Some nonsense about the weather and his not looking before stepping in front of the carriage; more likely he was pushed.
The unique archive required people of high education – which, as in Annabelle's case, usually also meant high-born – and with certain unique skills. It required careful handling and few were suited to the work, and fewer still had the desire for it. Annabelle had always known there were risks involved. Until today, she'd never thought they included being trampled on by horses in a busy London street.
This was a challenging exercise. I used this site to give me an outline:
The theme of this story: romantic adventure. The main character: mysterious archivist. The start of the story: critical injury. The end of the story: intimidation.
I wrote the same basic story opening for both styles. For the classical style I read the opening paragraphs on online versions of some Bronte and Dickens – in particular I used the opening of 'A Christmas Carol' for inspiration. The story here is told in the current style – that is, it is modern for the author and audience, though classical to us.
For the modern style, I've used the same story, but from a historical novel angle. That is, I have not updated the story but retold the story happening in the same period but from the perspective of a modern author and audience. I'm not sure I'm explaining myself that well, but that was my intent when I wrote these two pieces. I had no particular author in mind for the modern piece, although I'm reading an Anna Campbell historical romance at the moment which I may be drawing upon for inspiration.
It was an interesting exercise. I don't know how successful I was at it – concrit is very welcome – and I'm not sure what I learnt, except that I'm probably not cut out to write in the classical style.
Classical
Annabelle was an archivist. Not for pay, mind, for she was of noble birth and had no need of money. Indeed payment for her services would mar her reputation. The archive itself was unique and few could or would want to maintain it.
On a cold day in late November, when dark rain clouds hung over London, Egbert Dowd was badly injured. It was said that he stepped out in front of the carriage without looking, and by the time the driver had stopped, Dowd had been trampled upon.
Annabelle was quite certain it was no accident. Dowd was the senior archivist of the collection, and he was now the third holder of this honoured position to fall victim to a mysterious accident. Annabelle was, temporarily, the senior archivist. You should understand that she had never wanted such responsibility nor the danger that post carried with it. It would be a discredit to her to insinuate however that she hesitated even one whit when faced with taking on the mantle of senior archivist. She was brave and noble, and no man could find her lacking in her resoluteness to carry out any and all duties given to or expected of her.
Modern
Annabelle sipped her tea, trying to calm the pounding of her heart.
"He will probably live," she told herself, repeating the physicians words aloud. The terrible responsibility that now lay on her shoulders, that of Senior Archivist, would be temporary – Acting Senior Archivist, by rights. That thought gave her some comfort.
Annabelle was convinced Dowd's injuries were not as a result of an accident. Similar freak accidents had befallen the two previous post holders, though they had died, and Dowd had not. Some nonsense about the weather and his not looking before stepping in front of the carriage; more likely he was pushed.
The unique archive required people of high education – which, as in Annabelle's case, usually also meant high-born – and with certain unique skills. It required careful handling and few were suited to the work, and fewer still had the desire for it. Annabelle had always known there were risks involved. Until today, she'd never thought they included being trampled on by horses in a busy London street.
