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Q&A How to avoid unconsciously copying the style of my favorite writer?

I don't know Murakami, so I think it depends on how "trademark" his style is. If it is particularly unique, I wouldn't want to be seen as an obvious imitation. But if it is just good writing, I'd...

posted 5y ago by Amadeus‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

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#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-19T22:13:51Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/46941
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T12:34:35Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/46941
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T12:34:35Z (almost 5 years ago)
I don't know Murakami, so I think it depends on how "trademark" his style is.

If it is particularly unique, I wouldn't want to be seen as an obvious imitation.

But if it is just _good_ writing, I'd use the style. You will probably write yourself out of it anyway, using it as a starting point to develop your own style. Many published authors talk about having done this, imitating their own favorite authors every time they read something by them, but on rewrite tweaking even those to their own unique styles.

I wouldn't force a departure from it; it will probably happen naturally. Unless the guy writes in inverted syntax, like Yoda in Star Wars, chances are nobody will notice his influence.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-07-27T00:02:32Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 4