Many people would agree that Benjamin Franklin was one of the greatest authors ever published in America.

His secret? Copying other writers.

Basically he would take a written work, copy it down word for word, and then write in his own words. Well, actually, he would copy it, convert it to poetry, then write it in his own words. But I doubt few people here have the will, time, or need to do that.

I've tried this and found it helpful for my writing, and have copied down entire chapters before of favorite or respected authors.

Have you tried this? Do you find it worth while?

- Terra

I naturally pick up some of the style of whomever I'm reading at the time of my writing (you can really tell when I've read too many blogs). But I've never really sat down and thought: I'm going to copy this person today. Sometimes I have to consciously think not to because my brain mimics some things so easily.

Writers that I read a lot influence me a lot. Bryan Davis, Tolkien, and Lewis would be the three that have influenced my fantasy writing, probably.

I've never tried purposely copying down excerpts for practice with style, etc. That would be interesting...has it influenced your writing much?

eruheran

I think it does.

Though, I wouldn't necessarily say it's essential to build up your writing. Rabidly reading everything (well...not everything. ) you can get your hands on will help more in the long run. But yes, it could definitely be useful.

Haven't done it in a while. I should do it sometime.

I do that with ancient legends. I rewrite them as poetry and include them in my novels, sometimes changing them a lot, sometimes not so much. Anyway, there is a LOT of great stuff out there to draw inspiration from, so this is a great idea.

Every time I read a book by Frances Hodgson Burnett, I get the urge to write like her. But such spurts usually fade quickly, and my own style returns.

I think that's an interesting idea, and good for exercise, but ultimately I think you should keep writing and allow your voice (and your story) to develop on its own. You can learn from the masters, but your own gift is what will sell.

I don't copy authors so much as I learn from them. When I read a book, I automatically pick up on what technique they use, their style, etc. What I like, I add to my own writing. Henceforth my technique is a conglomeration of Elisabeth George Speare, Charles Dickens, C.S Lewis, Rosemary Sutcliffe....

I've never done that, even though I certainly try to incorporate certain author's styles in my writing. Rumer Godden's style is one of my favorites. I love her humor!

That's an interesting exercise. I've never done it but I do borrow from the styles of others, namely Lewis, Tolkien, Henty and Spurgeon (yes, I use CH Spurgeon's style in fantasy ).

In the end we all develop our own styles I think, but we can learn great things from all these authors. I have never tried re writing anyone's works but I learn a great deal from their differing styles.