“The reason to copy your heroes and their style is so that you might somehow get a glimpse into their minds. That’s what you really want—to internalize their way of looking at the world. If you just mimic the surface of somebody’s work without understanding where they are coming from, your work will never be anything more than a knockoff.” Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon
Honoring Literary Heroes Without Copying Them
Techniques Illustrated by the Quotation
1. Perspective Internalization – Effective writers don’t just mimic a style; they absorb a perspective, understanding how an author’s worldview shapes their choices in character, tone, and narrative rhythm.
2. Voice Adaptation vs. Imitation – Developing a voice involves learning from others without copying them. Strong writers integrate influences into their own approach rather than producing pastiche.
3. Narrative Mindset Exploration – Studying a writer’s work means dissecting the patterns of thought that drive their storytelling, not just their structural techniques.
Writing Prompt: “Through Their Eyes, In Your Words”
Choose a writer whose perspective you admire. This should be someone whose way of seeing the world—not just their style—resonates with you. Identify what defines their perspective: their themes, character focus, moral ambiguity, or particular worldview.
Write a 500-word scene in which you filter a story through their mindset but in your own voice. This means avoiding direct imitation of syntax or stylistic quirks. Instead, internalize their way of understanding human nature, relationships, and conflict.
The scene should be original but shaped by their narrative sensibility. If they dwell on quiet moments of revelation, do the same—but in a way that feels natural to you. If they see the world through ironic detachment, let that influence your character’s perceptions but not your sentence structure.
Evaluation Criteria
• Perspective Absorption – The piece should reflect an understanding of the chosen writer’s way of seeing, not just their writing habits. It should feel informed by their perspective rather than structurally derivative.
• Voice Integrity – The writing should remain authentically yours, avoiding direct imitation of sentence patterns or distinctive mannerisms.
• Character Depth – The scene should show a character navigating their world in a way that aligns with the chosen influence’s worldview while maintaining a sense of personal depth and agency.
• Emotional or Intellectual Resonance – The piece should capture the emotional weight or intellectual curiosity characteristic of the chosen author’s work without being a direct pastiche.
Follow-Up Questions for Workshopping and Revision
1. Would someone familiar with the chosen author’s work recognize their influence in the worldview of the piece rather than its surface details?
2. Does the narrative feel like an extension of the chosen writer’s perspective, or does it lapse into mimicry?
3. Are there moments where the piece feels forced or where the influence overrides the writer’s own instincts?
4. How does the character’s outlook reflect the thematic concerns of the chosen writer while still being an original creation?
5. If the influence were removed, would the piece still feel cohesive and meaningful?
Recommended Reading: “The Metamorphosis” by Franz Kafka
Kafka’s work offers a masterclass in absorbing influences without imitation. His storytelling is shaped by existential dread, alienation, and bureaucratic absurdity, but his voice is uniquely his own. The Metamorphosis is an ideal study in how a writer can internalize philosophical and thematic concerns while developing a distinctive narrative style.
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