In this post, you’ll learn how to find your writing style and read ways to develop writing aesthetics.
Every article, essay or book you have ever read has a certain vibe. It might not be easy to articulate a writing aesthetic, but you will recognize it by feeling it.
Using literary devices and narrative methods can help writers develop the distinctive writing aesthetic that sets them apart.
In this article, we’ll emphasize the importance of writing aesthetics and cultivating one for a voice that belongs to you only.
What is Writing Aesthetic?
Aesthetic writing can be defined as a writer’s use of literary devices, cultural references, mood and tone to convey a sense of atmosphere. It can also be known as an author’s style.
The aesthetic of a narrative or author is significant because it touches the reader’s subconscious. Apart from the real plot and primary narrative, what creates that underlying emotion keeps them glued to the page. A writer’s aesthetic also distinguishes them from other writers.
The author’s distinctive voice or trademark could be the best approach to understanding writing aesthetics. You know how you can tell when something is written by Kafka or at least has bits of his writing style? The aesthetic of his works is sometimes referred to as “Kafkaesque.”
Examples of Writing Aesthetics
Some examples to help you understand aesthetic writing better:
1. 18th Century Aesthetic Movement
In particular, Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece “The Picture of Dorian Gray” brilliantly depicted the late 18th and early 19th-century aesthetic movement. Although aesthetics is the topic, in this case, it develops through writing. You will completely understand this movement’s strangeness and extremities when reading Wilde’s novels.
2. Sublime Nature in Romanticism
As defined by philosopher Edmund Burke in 1757, the sublime is the sensation we have when confronted with particular types of threats, suffering, or horror frequently brought on by the natural surroundings. One experience that highlights the force of the sublime is standing at the edge of a cliff and understanding that death could be only a few inches away.
Romantic-era artists and authors frequently tried to portray the sublime in their works. For example, the atmosphere for many of the outdoor scenes in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is created by the aesthetic of exquisite nature.
3. Shakespeare
Both fiction and nonfiction can use the aesthetic of suspense. The readers are curious to learn the outcome as they are unsure of it. As a result, the audience will remain engrossed in the text and be entertained by well-executed suspense.
Crime and mystery novels are typically suspenseful. But, likewise, tension and suspense are brilliantly captured in works of art like Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
4. The Homely Feeling in The Kite Runner
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini offers an aesthetic of home that is more of a feeling than a place. Throughout the story, the narrator’s memories of their youth underscore the sense of home that prevails.
The narrator’s native Afghanistan is described in the book’s first section. In the second, he confesses his longing for it and his desire to go back there to make amends.
5. Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway is known for his distinctive writing style. In his writing, he uses stream-of-consciousness without flowery language. There is no over-explanation of themes or subtexts in his work. Despite his simplistic writing persona, he has poignant depths beneath the surface.
6. Nicholas Sparks
In the modern age, Nicholas Sparks is a good example. Sparks writes heartbreaking love stories. The author pays more attention to the emotions of the characters than to the plot, and he does not mind having a bittersweet, wistful ending. The aesthetic of his writing is emotive, often tragic, and romantic.
Writing Aesthetic: How to Find your Writing Style?
Here are key pointers on how to know your aesthetic in writing:
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Observe Your Emotions
The foremost step to developing a distinct writing aesthetic is understanding your emotions. More than your plot, theme and characters, what stays with the readers is how your story makes them feel. You need to feel something yourself before you can make your readers feel it.
Nothing is more important to an author than the vibe they felt while writing. I am convinced if you have spent a lot of time writing in the past, you already know what kind of atmosphere you enjoy the most.
Is it when the spooky side of yourself comes out or when the harmony inside you starts to pour out?
When you know what you feel around, you will discover your writing aesthetic. Transforming them onto paper won’t require a lot of effort while you’re writing.
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Analyse Your Writing Habits:
This step to finding writing aesthetic may be more of a self-analysis. For this, you need to analyze your writing habits, both good and bad, before you begin writing.
If you have a skill you can use, hold onto it tightly. It could be anything from using song lyrics in your manuscript to slipping awkward silences into the story.
Likewise, if you have bad habits like writing long, complex sentences or using lots of redundancy, get rid of them.
Maintaining good habits like ‘showing, not telling’ will make your writing aesthetics clear for readers.
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Review Your Previous Work
Most likely, you already hold a writing aesthetic; you may not even be aware of it. Consider going back and finding similar moods, tones, or themes in some of your earlier works. Figure out what you are particularly skilled at.
Alternatively, ask beta readers what they think and feel about your writing and what they like and dislike about it. Again, this gives you valuable insight into your potential writing aesthetic.
You are more likely to get off to a much better start if you are familiar with how and what you have written previously.
There is no guarantee that your previous writing style will be perfect for your new one. This would naturally require some, perhaps a lot of thought and a proper proofreading checklist.
You may not get a clear vision of everything, but you will realize something eventually. At the least, you’ll be able to identify the writing style with which you are most comfortable and proficient.
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Pay Attention to Themes
Examine your stories (or unwritten story ideas) for common elements. In your stories, what themes do you weave? Do you have any ideas that you keep coming back to?
Likewise, you can find these themes in the books or movies you enjoy. A theme that appeals to you can show a lot about your aesthetic as an author.
Note that these themes will also be accompanied by a range of emotions. The theme of a found family, for instance, evokes hopefulness, while the theme of loss evokes sadness.
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Take it Easy
If you focus too much on finding your writing aesthetic, you’ll most likely confuse the reader.
The human mind is not one-dimensional. What if your aesthetic is something you have yet to tap into? So, take it easy, keep writing, and you’ll figure out the writing aesthetic eventually.
How to Develop Writing Aesthetic:
Now you know how to find writing aesthetic. You’ve also reviewed examples of writing aesthetics. It’s time to review tips that you can use to further develop your writing aesthetics:
1. Read Your Favourite Author’s Work
Reading and analyzing your favourite authors’ works is always a good idea, especially when you embark on the journey of finding your aesthetic writing.
Look for a writer whose writing you admire and whose work inspires you on a personal level. Try to understand the author’s writing style, assess what it is that you like about their writing as well as the emotions it evokes.
Is it their vocabulary, tone, symbolism or the themes they cover repeatedly? First, consider the elements you want to showcase in your writing.
Refrain from attempting to match the type of author you believe you are supposed to be. Instead, discover who you already are; readers will admire you.
2. Write Consistently:
The most effective way to develop your writing aesthetics is to write every day. The right words might never come if you keep putting it off. Words are tricky, and you don’t know if they’re right until they’re spoken. It only takes a few sentences per day to fine-tune your skills.
3. Engage All Five Senses
The world of writing requires one to immerse themselves in every aspect of it. It’s not a job you can accomplish without truly getting into it.
Furthermore, if you want your reader to stay connected, you need to make the environment comfortable for them.
So harness all your senses and stay alert while writing.
What you hear, feel, taste, touch, smell, and, most importantly, what you see in your environment.
In the process, you will discover that everything is somehow interconnected. How you convey the vibe to the reader is your writing aesthetic.
4. Rewrite and Edit
Editing is one of the most important phases of the writing aesthetic development process. If any parts break from the style you’re building on, remove them or rewrite them.
Although you should have a sense of your aesthetic from the beginning, it’s almost impossible to sustain that mood for the entire time it takes you to finish your work.
You’ll grow tired and let your aesthetic slide because developing an aesthetic requires a conscious effort. However, paying close attention to it when editing can preserve your writing aesthetic.
5. Use Literary Devices
Author aesthetic can be created through literary devices. You don’t need to fill your writing with metaphors, similes, and flowery language. Instead, other methods and approaches, like rhythm, viewpoint, and repeating themes, can work more discreetly to define your aesthetic.
Experiment with your sentences’ pacing or rearrange words to create different undertones. Also, pay attention to the literary devices you use. Every writer uses some literary devices more than others. Literary devices include:
1. Anaphora
2. Alliteration
3. Allegory
4. Irony
5. Litotes
6. Hyperbole
7. Juxtaposition
8. Personification
As you analyze your work for literary devices and stylistic choices, consider how your writing style affects your overall voice and tone. Your writing aesthetic will become clearer when you do this.
Literary Devices to Improve Writing Aesthetic
What can aesthetic writing tools and strategies do, and how can you choose the proper writing aesthetic to improve your writing?
1. Rhythm
You may, for instance, change the length of your sentences, experiment with pacing or mix up words and sentences to use language adaptability. Some writers naturally create rhythm in their writing. Others employ specific aesthetic strategies.
Another technique to establish a rhythm is by making the most of sentence fragments, with or without consideration for grammar rules. However, developing your writing aesthetic is easier if you follow all the grammar rules. Rhythm establishes a tone and more effectively represents persons or settings.
2. Juxtaposition
Juxtaposition is a subtle technique to encourage readers to compare and contrast two or more elements that are seemingly unrelated.
Most readers cherish tension and frequent ambiguity, both elements that juxtaposing provides in writing.
3. Emotion
Another aspect of aesthetic writing is its ability to evoke emotion; every story needs to do so to hold readers’ attention.
Writing well involves having a good idea and effective use of human sensibility and emotion. So even while a work of science fiction and magic realism may have nothing to do with reality, it should still touch readers’ hearts.
4. Humor
Humor is complicated and challenging to master. It all comes down to timing and coordinating it with the rest of your writing style.
It takes skill to recognize when to add humor to your work unless you’re a comedy writer. Nevertheless, humor frequently tops the list when it comes to literary aesthetics.
Even in the most depressingly grim literature, a cleverly crafted and witty scenario can give readers a much-needed break.
Key Takeaways
- A writer’s use of literary methods, cultural allusions, mood and tone to create an environment in their writing is known as writing aesthetic.
- To establish aesthetic writing – tap into your emotions, study your favorite author’s works, employ literary devices, reflect on your writing and edit.
- Rhythm, juxtaposition, emotion and humor are some of the writing aesthetics that make your writing better.
FAQs on Writing Aesthetics
How to avoid copying other people’s writing aesthetic?
Most writers are inspired and influenced by other writers. Still, at the same time, they should stick to what they are already and build on their aesthetic. You may include some elements from the works of your favorite writer but always add your personal touch to it.
What are the most commonly used literary devices?
Imagery and symbolism are the two common literary devices used by writers. Additionally, you can use allegory, alliteration, metaphor, personification, hyperbole, and simile to improvise your writing.
How do I start my aesthetic?
You can begin by reading more books and recognizing the writing style that inspires you the most. Then, reflecting and editing your story will help you hold the aesthetic you are going for.
Can editing improve the aesthetics of writing?
As a writer, editing is incredibly critical. You will notice your aesthetic when you examine your work or get someone else to do this for you. This will give you the opportunity to work on it further.
In Closing:
The trick is to always read and write, and you’ll find the aesthetic you want with practice. A writer’s strongest critic is often their own work. So keep writing, and keep improvising.
In the writing process, aesthetic principles are always important, and if you incorporate these principles in your writing, you will have a true piece of art.
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