Writers to emulate
February 1, 2009 7:48 AM Subscribe
If you could imitate one writer, who would it be?
I want to do this. I have some ideas, but I also want suggestions. So, if you could write like one writer, who would it be? Any specific works?
I want to do this. I have some ideas, but I also want suggestions. So, if you could write like one writer, who would it be? Any specific works?
This post was deleted for the following reason: Without a lot more information, this is a pretty hopelessly vague and chatfilter. -- cortex
James Joyce in Ulysses. If you can do that, you can imitate anyone because he sure did.
posted by milarepa at 7:57 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by milarepa at 7:57 AM on February 1, 2009
David Sedaris. Or Chatty McChatfilterson.
posted by nitsuj at 7:58 AM on February 1, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by nitsuj at 7:58 AM on February 1, 2009 [1 favorite]
If you're doing it to improve your writing, I would suggest trying to write like different kinds of writers. So, try to write a story like Nabokov, all flowery and hyper-literate and exhaustive, then write a story like Raymond Carver, short declarative sentences, plain. You'll probably find you're most comfortable somewhere in the middle. But me? I think it'd be cool to write like George Saunders.
posted by billysumday at 8:05 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by billysumday at 8:05 AM on February 1, 2009
Fitzgerald
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 8:07 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 8:07 AM on February 1, 2009
and Hunter Thompson
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 8:08 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by hellboundforcheddar at 8:08 AM on February 1, 2009
J.K. Rowling, or maybe James Patterson. It's like having a goddamn license to print money.
posted by box at 8:14 AM on February 1, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by box at 8:14 AM on February 1, 2009 [1 favorite]
John Steinbeck. But for a blog or other day-to-day casual writing, I want to sound like Bill Bryson.
posted by kitkatcathy at 8:23 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by kitkatcathy at 8:23 AM on February 1, 2009
Hey, nobody reads anymore. Can we chat about something else?
What special talent do you have?
Me, I have a great memory.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:50 AM on February 1, 2009 [1 favorite]
What special talent do you have?
Me, I have a great memory.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:50 AM on February 1, 2009 [1 favorite]
Off the top of my head: Florence King's book reviews are excellent. (I'll think of someone else's work as soon as I hit "Post Comment.")
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:58 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by The corpse in the library at 8:58 AM on February 1, 2009
Raymond Chandler.
posted by Comrade_robot at 9:04 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by Comrade_robot at 9:04 AM on February 1, 2009
Steinbeck, Hornby or McCarthy.
posted by DieHipsterDie at 9:04 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by DieHipsterDie at 9:04 AM on February 1, 2009
If you're trying for a comedic voice, with some genius and dead-on societal observations thrown in the mix, try P.G. Wodehouse. And if you want more bite? Dorothy Parker.
posted by bluestocking at 9:05 AM on February 1, 2009
posted by bluestocking at 9:05 AM on February 1, 2009
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posted by Kirklander at 7:55 AM on February 1, 2009