Check out the I write like website (iwl.me). The premise is simple. You paste some you work into a text box and click “analyze.” The site will then tell you what famous author you write like. It is most interesting, but I’m not sure if it is much more. In testing a half a dozen of my writing samples, I received six different suggestions:
- Cory Doctorow
- David Foster Wallace
- Edgar Allan Poe
- James Joyce
- Daniel Defoe
- Arthur Clarke
I chose wide-ranging samples, all non-fiction: an article, a movie review, a book review, and posts from three different blogs. The most surprising—and perplexing—response was my post on spirituality about Trinitarianism matched me with Edgar Allan Poe. That certainly gives me pause.
Though I’ve yet to be asked, “Who do you write like?” I’m sure I will one day be faced with that question. I am now no closer to an answer than when I started. Even so, this is a fun tool.
Give it a try and then share your results in the comment section.
(By the way, for this post I write like H. P. Lovecraft.)
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Peter Lyle DeHaan is an author, blogger, and publisher with over 30 years of writing and publishing experience. Check out his book Successful Author FAQs for insider tips and insights.