"I write longer sentences than most of the others, maybe because I probably like Henry James more than they do"

This quote by Peter Straub is most likely describing the composing design of himself and other authors. He is suggesting that he prefers to compose longer sentences than the majority of other authors, and attributes this to his affection of Henry James. This implies that he has actually been influenced by James' writing design, which typically includes longer sentences. It is most likely that Straub thinks that the other authors he is describing do not share his affection for James, and thus do not compose in the exact same design. This quote is a testament to the power of literature and how it can form the writing style of an author. It likewise speaks with the value of reading and being exposed to various authors and their works, as it can have a long lasting effect on one's writing.