I want to be able to do anything with words: handle slashing, flaming descriptions like Wells, and use the paradox with the clarity of Samuel Butler, the breadth of Bernard Shaw and the wit of Oscar Wilde, I want to do the wide sultry heavens of Conrad, the rolled - gold sundowns and crazy - quilt skies of Hitchens and Kipling as well as the pastel dawns and twilights of Chesterton. All that is by way of example. As a matter of fact I am a professed literary thief, hot after the best methods of every writer in my generation.
This quote speaks to an almost insatiable artistic ambition and admiration for diverse literary styles and techniques. What stands out is the speaker’s deep respect for the craft, aiming to master a wide spectrum of expressive tools—from the visceral and intense descriptions of Wells to the paradoxical insights of Butler, the social breadth of Shaw, and Wilde's sharp wit. Their desire to emulate Conrad’s expansive and sultry visions, alongside the vivid, textured skies painted by Hitchens and Kipling, showcases an appreciation for both poetic imagery and storytelling richness. The mention of pastel dawns and twilights of Chesterton reflects an appreciation for nuance and delicate detail. Importantly, the speaker admits to being a
