A Small Stuff Influence-ee...

The author, Val McDermid, was once interviewed by Graham Norton on his Saturday morning radio show. He asked whether, as a full-time writer, she could still read at the same time. The implication being that when working on her own writing, it might be hard to keep her own style distinct from the authors that she read at the same time. Her answer was clear.

'Some writers say, 'Oh I can’t read when I’m writing, I’m worried about it infecting my style'. But I’ve never felt that insecure about my own voice. I hear my voice, my characters clearly enough in my head and I don’t think I get influenced unduly by the voices of other writers that I’m reading.'

I heard it at the time and remember it well. The reason it stuck with me, is that I wish I had her clarity. She is so confident that her own voice is firmly embedded, that other author’s words can fill her head and not affect her. I love that. I hope to feel the same way one day. Right now, however, it’s hard. 

Would reverse psychology
 work on Val McDermid?

It all depends on whose books I read. There are plenty that I can immerse myself in, that don’t have any effect. But these are the books that I can take or leave. They’ll pass a rainy day and might keep me interested to the end, but two days later I’ll have no memory of the plot. These are not the books I’m worried about.

Instead, it’s the work of my favourite authors - the ones whose language and imagery is a real hook – that I need to avoid when I’m writing. Caitlin Moran is up there. Last time I read one of her books, I was in a pub and had to keep getting my phone out to snap actual sentences. They were works of art, in the same way I might photo the sunset or my nephew being cute. I can’t read Caitlin Moran at the moment. With the best will in the world, my head would turn by her turn of phrase. I need to keep hold of my own style. Or continue to struggle to find it, without undue influence.

My current dilemma is Marian Keyes’ latest book, Grown Ups. It came out last week and I’m desperate to read it. But because I’m at the tweaking, and rewriting stage with my own stuff, I know it’ll seep in. Her voice is really strong. It has an informal quality to it, and the dialogue is always spot on. I feel like it would absolutely find its way into my writing if I began to read it now. Avoiding it is sensible even though I’m missing out.

I’m ridiculously susceptible to influence. I’ve known this for some time. On the one hand, I’m strong-minded and determined. I know what I think about all the big issues. But on the other hand, I can be swayed really easily on smaller things. As the saying goes, I’m an advertiser’s wet dream. (It’s a saying. Defo.)

So, while I battle to keep Marian Keyes’ latest book at bay (for now) here are some examples of my blatant lack of free will when it comes to other choices.

This popped up on my Instagram last year. I was on holiday and craved it every single night until I was home. 

As soon as I was back in my own kitchen, I recreated it. Here is my piss-poor attempt at imitation being a form of flattery. It tasted great even if it failed to look the part. 

When Queer as Folk was broadcast in 1999, I LOVED Stewart Jones’ car.

 Nine years later, when I was able, I got the same one. Black Jeeps for the win!

A few weeks ago I realised that Roisin Conaty has great taste in clothes. I like her short black skirt, thick black tights, and ankle boots combo. (Not technically pictured above, although I do own the slippers she's wearing here.)

I spent an evening on eBay and found two skirts similar to the ones she wears on Taskmaster. I now own them, even though I don’t wear skirts. They’ll stay in my wardrobe until I fill the next charity bag. Thanks Roisin.

Finally, an influence that makes me drool just by typing. In Birds of Prey, Harley Quinn orders an egg sandwich. That sounds simple and dull. The reality is a porny, lingering sequence of eggs being fried, bacon being crisped, cheese being melted and rolls being brushed with melted butter. Is your mouth watering yet or is it just me? 

I saw it on a Friday night and by the Saturday morning I had recreated my own. It was nowhere near as good as the one in the film (I had no bacon or hot sauce) but I had to attempt it or it'd have never left my mind.

Being susceptible to low-level influence is not that bad. When it takes the form of buying secondhand skirts, or recreating food that someone else has made look inviting, it’s not that unhealthy at all. I can handle that amount of suggestion in my life. I suppose the challenge is when unhealthy influence presents itself. I’ve made a personal Twitter policy of unfollowing or blocking anyone that’s rude and bigoted. In recent weeks, I’ve got rid of a couple more TV journalists and politicians, blocked another newspaper, and deliberately sought out people that are trying to make the world a better place. I don’t want to be in an echo chamber surrounded by my own views. But then I don’t want to scroll through abusive content and misinformation that masquerades as news. When the bloke in the pub has a different opinion than I do, that’s fine. When the bloke in the pub has a different opinion than I do, but repeatedly screams it in my face whilst spouting insults and lies, then it’s time for that bloke to leave. The block button is the landlady, throwing him out on his ear. 

Influence. If you have it, use it wisely. Make me like a TV character’s car enough to buy it. Tell me that fried egg on toast is the only thing I want to eat. But don’t spout lies and bigotry all over my timeline. It only makes you look bad. And if you're a brilliant author creating magic with your books, keep going! Crack on! I will get to you ASAP, just as soon as I'm no longer susceptible to your wily ways.

Have a lovely week, folks.