Most of the writers I love have one thing in common: exquisite use of language. Neil Gaiman’s words are razor-edged, as are Connie Willis’, Guy Gavriel Kay is fluid and lyrical, and reading Patricia McKillip is like falling into music. Their styles, though, are very distinct, and there are elements of each of them that I’d like to emulate.
Students of visual art use master studies in order to study technique, color, etc. So why shouldn’t writers?
I start by choosing a passage that I find particularly good in its use of language Nothing too long, just a paragraph, or maybe two. I read the passage a couple of times, and then I copy it out, preferably by hand, rather than on the computer. Writing with a pen on paper gives me time to notice the texture of the words, the sounds, the rhythm of the author’s words. I pay attention to sentence structure, metaphors, descriptors, everything that makes that particular author’s style unique.
And then, when I’ve finished copying the text by hand, I go to my computer and write. Again, I don’t go for anything too long, just a paragraph or two, and try to incorporate those techniques into my own writing.
A logical drawback of this technique is that it could produce writing that is derivative, not at all original. But if you try it with several authors’ work, the styles eventually combine in your own, mixing and meshing together into something entirely unique, entirely yours.
Good tip. This is something I’ve done in depth with the two writers I admire most: Neil Gaiman, and Trevanian.
Hope you don’t mind, but I B’rolled your site on mine!