I got accused of sounding very Bridget Jones in my writing the other day. I can’t quote the exact line (something about battered slugs having low self-esteem), but it prompted my father to snort with laughter and then comment “How very Bridget Jones, is that what you’re aiming for?”
My response – no, I’m not trying for anything. I’m just me”. With a small huff of dignity because, popular or not, Bridget Jones is hardly what you could call classy literature. I also do have to take my father’s comment with a pinch of salt because he has a tendency to pick one pop-culture reference when he means quite another. But true or not, the analogy stung a little bit close to the bone.
I do write fluffy, inconsequential waffle. With an edge of self-deprecating humour. I do spend far too much time in my content pondering men (and my lack thereof). I obsess about my weight. I… But that’s just how I am and how I naturally write.
Oh god. I’m not Bridget Jones am I?!
Would I sound quite so Bridget Jones if the books/films had never been written. Probably? I am hardly a fan, having read it once and trashed it in disgust, but I am a fan of certain chick lit authors. I’ve got this mild addiction to the popcorn spectrum of the literary market and I read more of it than I probably should.
Though I’m also a fan of Gibson, Austin, Stephenson, Banks, Reichs…. None authors known for their “fluffyness”. What I’m trying to say is that the accent of my writing is the same as the accent of my speaking. A blend of influences with a slight chameleon tendency to colour the edges depending on what I’ve heard (or read) lately. Force-feed me Buffy and you get Valley-slang. West Wing gets you DC-politico, with a side order of biting sarcasm. Battlestar gets you frack. SG:1 gets you military wit. And so on.
You copy?
I couldn’t pick apart my genre influences if you paid me, but I’m pretty sure that Bridget Jones isn’t one of them. It would be like saying Dan Brown influenced me. Unthinkable. So there Crazy Canalman 😛
Alright, I’ve been reading your blog ever since I got to know about (which means for a good year plus) and to compare you with Bridget Jones is just…huh?
You’re right. You’re you. You’re the Cas we know and love. You should name this Cas Diary if people are so adamant in comparing you to Bridget Jones. 😛
Thank you Edrei, you’ve put my mind at rest. The thought that I might sound like Bridget Jones has really been bugging me lately!
I don’t think you’re sounding like Bridget Jones, silly crazy canalman. But you don’t write like you are in real life. There are distinct differences. For example, your viewing habits influence your speach far more than you’re writing.
“Oh god. I’m not Bridget Jones am I?!” The only similarity between you and Bridget Jones is that you’re both female. That’s about it. There are few women I know that don’t ponder about men and their weight. But there are very few who can write it down in such a great style filled with a tip of irony, wit and fluff like you! Don’t worry, we love reading it. Love your academic ramblings too.
Moose – I’d agree with you about not sounding like I do in real life, though the Boss Lady is convinced that I write exactly as I am… Oddness.
She also said that I do sound like Bridget Jones. Grrr.
Anne – thank you. That is the perfect comment to make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside after a pretty crappy day 🙂
It’s the British accent.
You’re not Bridget Jones but I certainly wouldn’t mind you looking like her ;P
So basically I’m screwed then Abi? 😉
Vidar – personally I think I am *much* better looking than Bridget Jones 😛 but each to their own 🙂
You are just you. 😉 I don’t know enough about Bridget Jones to negate (or confirm) the similarities but all the same, aren’t comparisons just reflective of the comparer? It’s a need to categorize you and to show that they have some sort of grasp on who you might be alike. Not that your father certainly doesn’t know you but hey–if he was far off, then he was far off. 🙂
Cas: You certainly know how to get someone interested 😉
Esther – to be honest, I think he was just casting around for some comparison that said “I like what you write”. We’re incapable of giving straight compliments in my family you see!
Vidar – thank you
Okay, I’m curious — what chick lit authors do you like? I enjoy good chick lit for a pick-me-up but I have a hard time finding authors that really satisfy me… there’s so much one-dimensional, badly written junk out there. Suggestions would be appreciated!
Hmmmm, I like Jill Mansell, Katie Fforde, Lisa Kleypass, Georgette Heyer, Nora Roberts, J.D.Robb (detective stories + yummy romance + set in the future), Eloisa James. And many, many more!
I don’t think I’ve read any of these authors. (Katie Fforde sounds familiar, but I looked over her titles and none of them ring a bell.) I just ordered a new book on Sunday, but I’ll make a note of these ladies for future reference. Thanks!