How The Personality Of A Writer Influences Their Work

Forensic linguistics is the application of linguistic knowledge to a forensic context of language, for a variety of reasons, probably mostly legal in nature. It used to be that text from a typewriter could easily be linked back to the typewriter, but is that still true where modern printers are concerned.
What could still be linked is a writing style – that particular writer’s style – printed by whatever means. A style hallmarks a writer, but is that always true? Is it true for you?
Everybody can easily and readily identify stories by Thomas Hardy, Ernest Hemingway or DH Lawrence, but what about lesser known writers and their styles – what about you and your style?
The subject matter might identify you if you write a lot about one particular area – one kind of story – one topic, but there are lots of writers writing in lots of fields. Is it really a big deal that you can be identified by what you write?
Well, sure it is, if you want readers to come back again and again to what you write. How then to maintain that style to keep them coming back for more?
To start with, you need to keep up to speed with various things.
Subject and Genre
If you’re writing storied surrounding characters living in the past or in obviously unusual situations, everything you write will reflect that fact.
If you are writing articles for learners in any field, you will have to make what you write accessible to your target audience. This may sound patronizing, but it aint! If you write over your readers’ heads, they will desert you in droves. If you do patronize them by writing in language that is too simplistic, again, they will leave.
Vocabulary associated with subject
You’ve got to keep up with reality – your own if it’s a story, or everyone else’s if it’s an article. Watch what else is being written – don’t copy – be aware of what is going on – how people’s tastes are developing – that sort of thing.
Style associated with subject/ genre
Here we go – look here, baby – getting the style wrong is as good or as bad as getting the spelling wrong. In story writing, it’s probably best to go with your own style – the one that’s developing as you write – but that is NOT the same thing as just letting it happen. Read other writers targeting the same or similar target audiences – again, do NOT copy – just be aware of what’s going on around you.
Once you get as beloved as Hardy or Hemingway, say, you can mess, but until that time, best watch what you write – actually, you could do no better than to practice that – watch what you write – go back to it – reread it – be embarrassed if you must – but do NOT be put off writing. Someone said the difference between a professional writer and an amateur one is that the first type sticks at it, whereas the second is easily put off.
Length associated with subject/genre
This is easy – go with what your editor tells you, but have your own ideas too – based upon what is being read – there are many sort of unwritten laws surrounding what gets into print and what doesn’t – read – read- read – to find what they are!