That one comes from the creative writing class I took way back then, some twenty years ago, oh dear oh dear.
Still, its a valid writing tip that helps me a lot, especially when I feel a writing block lurking around.
How it works
Here’s the edited definition for writers: a literary piece consisting wholly of borrowed techniques.
You copy the writing style of a other writer, in order to understand how they use words, grammar, how they described, how they develop characters.
VERY IMPORTANT: It is an exercise to help you find your OWN writing voice, not an invitation to plagiarism!!!
It works like this: you pick 3 to 5 novels, from different authors from different eras, and more importantly, different genre.
Choose a novel from Agota Kristoff, Jacques Poulin, Colette, Isaac Asimov and Alessandro Barrico, for exemple.
It will help if you read the whole book before selecting a specific scene, but you can also just select a scene.
After reading the selected scene thoroughly, you write a new story using the style and voice of the author.
Simple enough, but I found it really helps me clear my mind and narrow down my own writing voice, while picking up some great writing techniques.
Writing a pastiche of J.D. Sallinger twenty years ago left me, to this day, with a different perspective on rhythm.
I hope this writing tip will help.
Now, this wanna-be traditionally published author is going back to the mid-point of her current WIP.
Until next time!
PS.: If you liked this post, feel free to buy me a little ko-fi. Thanks a million!
Marie Alice Writes & Reads 