I see a lot of advice here about reading a lot to diversify your

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Anonymous
2016-01-14 04:59:30 Post No. 7583706
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Anonymous 2016-01-14 04:59:30 Post No. 7583706 [Report]

I see a lot of advice here about reading a lot to diversify your writing style. The more you read the better you can write. I think this is true, and besides reading a lot is always going to be better than not reading at all, but is there any merit in the imitation of a particular author? With enough practice can your imitation be as good, or even better, as the real thing?

Do any of the writers here practice imitation in this way?

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Anonymous 2016-01-14 05:01:55 Post No.7583716
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Anonymous 2016-01-14 05:01:55 Post No.7583716 [Report]

I practice involuntary imitation.

It works about as long as it takes for people to figure out which authors I'm ripping off.

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Anonymous 2016-01-14 05:10:20 Post No.7583735
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Anonymous 2016-01-14 05:10:20 Post No.7583735 [Report]

>>7583716
>It works about as long as it takes for people to figure out which authors I'm ripping off

I think there is a huge difference between a stylistic imitation and ripping off. You could imitate michaelangelo and, if you were really good at it, I don't think people wouldn't be thinking about you being a plagiarist. I think they would be marveling at the art.

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Anonymous 2016-01-14 05:15:30 Post No.7583754
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Anonymous 2016-01-14 05:15:30 Post No.7583754 [Report]

Imitation of style is the "natural" way of learning about writing. Of course to be better it comes down to the balance of content.
Looking at examples though the most famous of the imitations are the ones that adds to the style and develop it beyond the original.