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McAnally's (The Community Pub) => Author Craft => Topic started by: Starbeam on July 16, 2010, 01:03:40 AM

Title: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 16, 2010, 01:03:40 AM
Neat kinda writing analyzer thingie that tells you who you write like.  I pasted chunks from my current WIP and got Dan Brown, Stephen King, and Margaret Atwood.  Other stories came up with Lewis Carroll, Arthur C Clarke, and Ursula K LeGuin.  So, who do you write like (http://iwl.me/)?
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Jaeh on July 16, 2010, 01:29:57 AM
I slipped in a few chunks from 4 different projects I'm working on and I got Margaret Mitchell, William Gibson, Stephen King, and David Foster Wallace. Weird.
I'd try it again with a more recent project when I have the said project written down.

neat website, btw. :D
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 16, 2010, 02:06:39 AM
Earlier on Twitter, Neil Gaiman said he put in a couple chunks from Anansi Boys, and the first one came back as Stephen King, the second as JRR Tolkien.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: tiny[but]fierce on July 16, 2010, 02:37:19 AM
The few chunks of my own fiction that I put in came up as Stephen King, David Foster Wallace and Mary Shelly :-\
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Apocrypha on July 16, 2010, 02:51:00 AM
How does it work exactly, by analyzing your word usage?  Particular words are flagged to particular writers?
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: KWPech on July 16, 2010, 03:15:15 AM
Margaret Atwood, Dan Brown, and H.G. Wells.
I can live with that.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: KevinEvans on July 16, 2010, 03:34:48 AM
Snork,

Apperently we write like Ian Fleming

Regards,
Kevin
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: belial.1980 on July 16, 2010, 04:20:12 AM
Dan Brown, Ian Flemming, and William Shakespeare. Hmmm.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Terminalvelocityturkey on July 16, 2010, 04:39:35 AM
Arthur C Clark and Dan Brown here it seems.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: LizW65 on July 16, 2010, 03:01:23 PM
Kurt Vonnegut.   :)
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Gruud on July 16, 2010, 04:49:55 PM
I dropped in three different samples, and they came up with:

Charles Dickens
H.G. Wells
James Fenimore Cooper

I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Perhaps they're trying to tell me my writing is old fashioned?

I'm always a ittle suspicious of stuff like this though.

Ive seen some (what DnD character are you, what fantasy race are you, etc.) where you could put in the exact same entries and it would give you different outcomes each time.

Which basically means they're just running a randomizer.

Anyone care to opine on my outcomes?
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 16, 2010, 05:24:27 PM
This one's not a randomizer--I put in the same sample just now as the first one I did last night and got the same thing.

And I wouldn't say that those authors mean you write old fashioned, but maybe more that you're more detailed in what you write.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Apocrypha on July 16, 2010, 05:26:55 PM
I'm not sure on the accuracy on this  ::)

I put in two sections of the same piece of fiction and got Stephen King and Isaac Asimov from a piece of work that is neither horror or SF.

One that was close was from another piece of work that gave me Chuck Palahniuk.

I actually then put in a piece of what is considered SF and it told me I wrote like William Shakespeare  lol
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 16, 2010, 05:39:27 PM
I don't think it's so much to do with genre--I put in three chunks from one piece and got Dan Brown, King, and Margaret Atwood.  And it's an urban fantasy.  I think it's more going by the words that're used, or something like that.  I didn't really try looking around the site to see if it was explained.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Spot on July 16, 2010, 06:08:28 PM
Kurt Vonnegut and David Foster Wallace.  :-\
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Kali on July 17, 2010, 12:26:02 AM
I'm kinda wondering what it all means.  A piece heavy with dialogue came back as James Joyce.  One of mostly action and short-ish paragraphs came back Stephen King.  One about a nightmare with longer, more descriptive paragraphs came back as Chuck Palahniuk.  So I dunno what the heck they're using as their basis for comparison.

Edit:  We're not the only confused ones.  Here's a link to an AP article about the site. (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j93L3sF-VA-F548doKe70er5uD0wD9H0DAU81)  tl;dr?  It says it bases things on word choice.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: arianne on July 17, 2010, 03:34:53 PM
Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen King.

I wonder if it's sentence length they look for?

I just tried this with Lord of the Rings and It (Stephen King). Both came out correct. However, using Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol came up as James Joyce. So I guess Dan Brown writes like James Joyce. Huh. Who knew?

Entering the opening paragraphs of Storm Front yielded Billy Shakespeare. Someone should tell JB!
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: tiny[but]fierce on July 17, 2010, 10:43:07 PM

Entering the opening paragraphs of Storm Front yielded Billy Shakespeare. Someone should tell JB!

Niiiiiice!!!! That's so cool, lol!
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 18, 2010, 02:55:25 AM
Stephen king, J.k Rowling, and Dan brown
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: jeno on July 18, 2010, 05:51:50 AM
Heads up, guys and gals - it's a scam.  :-\

From Jim MacDonald at Making Light (http://nielsenhayden.com/makinglight/archives/012502.html)


Quote
So I went to the I Write Like site, subject of the post just below, and entered this text:

    asdp0o pvpm eropms spe pebps.

And it told me I write like James Joyce.

Not even trying? Not even rational! Therefore, I asked myself, what’s the scam? So I looked at the rest of the text on the results page:

    Great job! Do you want to get your book published?

    “I have personally read through thousands of book proposals in my career as a publisher and agent. I know what these professionals are looking for—and what they are not looking for.”
    — Michael Hyatt, Chairman and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers.

    Learn how to secure a book publishing contract!

That little bit includes two links, both to the same page: http://michaelhyatt.com/products/ebook-writing-a-winning-book-proposal

Yep, it’s SEO. And they’re using social engineering to get those links wide-spread and high in the Google stats. Helpful little cut-n-paste code to put in your blog!

But wait! There’s more!

Go over to that advertised page, and you’ll find a pair of $19.97 e-books by the above-said and afore-mentioned Michael Hyatt. These books promise to tell you such insider secrets as how to “avoid the three items you should NEVER include in a fiction book proposal.” Wow, I can’t wait to find out.

So, who’s Michael Hyatt, and what is Thomas Nelson?

Do you all recall Harlequin, and their recent dip in the vanity pool? Harlequin wasn’t the first or the only formerly-legitimate publisher to go down that road with Author Solutions. No, that honor goes to Thomas Nelson. But, since Thomas Nelson is a “Christian Publisher,” no one noticed at the time. Indeed, Thomas Nelson’s journey to the dark side is even sleazier than Harlequin’s. While Harlequin created a new imprint, “Harlequin Horizons,” as their vanity brand, Thomas Nelson used the name of an existing and formerly legitimate imprint, WestBow, for theirs. Thus, anyone checking up on the publisher’s name before submitting would find a long history of reasonably-selling books by known authors.

This “I Write Like” site isn’t remotely legitimate. No, they aren’t trying; or, anyway, they aren’t trying to analyze writing samples: They’re trying to lure newbie authors to the rocks and shoals of vanity publication.



eta: if you still want to use it without the SEO code, just pull out this line - < a href = " http :// iwl DOT me " style = " color : # 333 ; background: # FFFFE0 " > < b > Analyze your writing!< / b >< / a > - at the bottom. :)
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: arianne on July 18, 2010, 06:49:13 AM
I still think it's a good gimmick to show-off to friends. As long as you tell them to ignore the ads (which most of us pretty much do anyway).

What's wrong with getting a boost from a computer telling you you write like Dan Brown?  ;D
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Enjorous on July 18, 2010, 04:27:04 PM
David Foster Wallace, H.P. Lovecraft, Stephen King...

and...

...
...
...
...
...
Stephanie Meyers...I may go kill myself now :'(
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: tiny[but]fierce on July 18, 2010, 06:55:38 PM

Stephanie Meyers...I may go kill myself now :'(


Cue the "Psycho" theme music. Yeesh.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 18, 2010, 08:04:46 PM
umm, for fun, i typed it my poo and a bunch of swear phrases, and apparently i write like Stephen king
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 18, 2010, 08:29:31 PM
Well, he does use a lot of cusswords.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 18, 2010, 10:48:06 PM
yeah, the old lady in duma key....
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Biffy Pyro on July 18, 2010, 10:54:09 PM
apparently i write like

Vladimir Nabokov and edgar allan poe
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Ink Slinger on July 18, 2010, 10:59:11 PM
so even knowing it's a scam...I wanted to see what random authors they'd come up with and I got...

Cory Doctorow (who? *goes to look up*)
Dan Brown
James Joyce
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Chiroptera on July 19, 2010, 01:07:43 AM
I gave it a paragraph from an old biogeography report and got H.P. Lovecraft.   :D
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 19, 2010, 02:21:46 AM
Well, that seems fitting.  :D
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Apocrypha on July 19, 2010, 03:44:02 AM
so even knowing it's a scam...I wanted to see what random authors they'd come up with and I got...

Cory Doctorow (who? *goes to look up*)


Canadian SF writer who is well received and acclaimed.  He's actually one of my most recent favourites since I came across his work about two years ago.  He is a firm believer in creative commons licensing and as such you can find the majority of his work directly on his website to read for free.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: sleepdeprived38 on July 19, 2010, 06:27:30 AM
I put in a few things I've been working on and came back with Cory Doctorow (twice), Neil Gaiman, and George Orwell. 

I'm so okay with those comparisons it's not even funny, but I wonder how it does it so quickly.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Ink Slinger on July 19, 2010, 12:00:38 PM
Canadian SF writer who is well received and acclaimed.  He's actually one of my most recent favourites since I came across his work about two years ago.  He is a firm believer in creative commons licensing and as such you can find the majority of his work directly on his website to read for free.

Thank you.  I might have to go give him a read now. 
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Blaze on July 19, 2010, 12:15:57 PM
I write like Neil Gaiman, Ray Chandler and Cory Doctorow!

It matches up key phrases, and word use.  My bet is Vampires + hot battles gets Anne Rice, and vampires plus the word "chagrin" gets that Twilight author lady... 
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 19, 2010, 01:21:09 PM
I write like Neil Gaiman, Ray Chandler and Cory Doctorow!

It matches up key phrases, and word use.  My bet is Vampires + hot battles gets Anne Rice, and vampires plus the word "chagrin" gets that Twilight author lady... 
Hehe...I put in my vampire bit from my urban fantasy, and it came up with Raymond Chandler.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 19, 2010, 03:36:19 PM
i put in my vampire bit, and i got Stephen king. didnt he write a book about vamps?
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Starbeam on July 19, 2010, 03:38:20 PM
Yup, Salem's Lot.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 19, 2010, 03:40:01 PM
okay yeah, i was going to put samuels lot, but i knew that was wrong. i have only read mostly his later stuff. like the green mile and others. even though i have all the rest  :P
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Blaze on July 19, 2010, 04:50:48 PM
I like that it has to tell you it doesn't analyze tweets!   ;D
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh on July 19, 2010, 04:55:02 PM
...nobody's watching.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Blaze on July 19, 2010, 05:32:07 PM
*ROTFLMAO*  I just plugged in a bit of TDF fanfic I wrote featuring Harry and Thomas in a conversation...  and got Mario Puzo!  I can hardly breathe I am laughing so hard!
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: CapnCowl on July 19, 2010, 10:40:15 PM
Hm... Maybe it isn't a scam.

(http://i.imgur.com/7CbbQ.jpg)

Seems accurate enough to me. :D
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Biffy Pyro on July 19, 2010, 10:50:15 PM
Hm... Maybe it isn't a scam.

(http://i.imgur.com/7CbbQ.jpg)

Seems accurate enough to me. :D

hahahahahahahahahaha ROFLCOPTER!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 19, 2010, 11:38:02 PM
PIZA PIZA PIpiziaizpizizzizpzizipzzzipzipq32thrquwy679x10
that is all i put, and i write like cory doctorow
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Apocrypha on July 19, 2010, 11:40:19 PM
PIZA PIZA PIpiziaizpizizzizpzizipzzzipzipq32thrquwy679x10
that is all i put, and i write like cory doctorow

Yeah, but given the nature of his writing, he sometimes includes lines of computer code or "chat speak" in his novel...so that could be the code to get your computer to make you pizza from the harddrive and spit it out the disc drive  ;D
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 19, 2010, 11:58:55 PM
Yeah, but given the nature of his writing, he sometimes includes lines of computer code or "chat speak" in his novel...so that could be the code to get your computer to make you pizza from the harddrive and spit it out the disc drive  ;D
I would purchase such a computer
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: tiny[but]fierce on July 20, 2010, 02:15:16 AM
Hm... Maybe it isn't a scam.

(http://i.imgur.com/7CbbQ.jpg)

Seems accurate enough to me. :D


LMFAO that is fantastic!
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Enjorous on July 20, 2010, 05:46:25 AM
Hm... Maybe it isn't a scam.

(http://i.imgur.com/7CbbQ.jpg)

Seems accurate enough to me. :D

No plot: check
No conflict: check
No character development: double check
Massive word abuse: mega super ultra check.

Yup seems accurate to me.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 20, 2010, 05:54:12 AM
You forgot to put "necrophilia" on your check list  :P
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Enjorous on July 20, 2010, 05:58:48 AM
There's no necrophilia anywhere in what CapnCowl wrote.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Vash the white on July 20, 2010, 06:22:26 PM
no there isnt, if it was stephnie meyer, necrophila would be in there. dude just dont ask i just woke up when i posted that
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Aludra on July 20, 2010, 07:53:17 PM
I entered some technical documentation text I've been working on for the last week and it told me I write like Dan Brown.
I find this hilarious.  Apparently he avoids action verbs that aren't "is" for his fictional writing the way I do in my technical writing? :P
Note to self: Never read Dan Brown.
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Thrythlind on July 21, 2010, 09:13:07 PM
David Foster Wallace....Chuck Palanuik...Dan Brown....HP Lovecraft...David Foster Wallace again...and again...Dan Brown (again)...Stephenie Meyer (that's the Twilight chick.....isn't it....)....Vladimir Nabokov...HP Lovecraft again...Stephen King...PG Wodehouse....HP Lovecraft (again)....Vladimir Nabokov again....Dan Brown again....and Dan Brown again

I recognize Stephen King, Lovecraft....and maybe Meyer, though haven't read her stuff yet
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Lisa™ on July 24, 2010, 07:47:43 AM
I got Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish, so yay!), Oscar Wilde (... that's just cool), Dan Brown (er.... *hides*) and Jack London.

*Goes looking for Jack London novels*
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: shades of grey on July 24, 2010, 08:44:37 AM
I write like Harry Harrison.

???

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bill-Galactic-Planet-Zombie-Vampires/dp/0575053208/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279961167&sr=8-16
^If I write like this guy I consider it a win. :)
Title: Re: I write like...
Post by: Aakaakaak on July 26, 2010, 02:58:58 PM
I did each of the four paragraphs I did in a different thread for Hawthorn(e) and Enjorous:

1. Chuck Palahniuk (Fight Club)
2. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes)
3. Dan Brown (The DaVinci Code)
4. Margaret Atwood (I don't recognize her books.)