It's out there folks. So many people say, "I want to write like that famous bestselling author" or "My style is like that well known writer" or "This story is a shoot off of that story." These statements and all others like them bring us to our latest topic.
Today's Topic:
What is copying? What is learning? Is there really a difference, or is it all just monkey see monkey do?
My Answer: There most certainly is a difference between copying a fellow writer's style and learning from a fellow writer's style. Allow me to illustrate.
Jack reads Jill's story about a hitchhiker named Ben Walker who finds the love of his life and settles down to start the family he never thought he'd have. Jack then proceeds to write his own story about a hitchhiker named Bert Stepper who meets his future wife and, after some persuasion, he settles down to start the family he never thought about having. Though there are minor differences, this is clearly a monkey see, monkey do.
On the other hand, learning from another writer goes something like this. EJ is writing a story and she's concerned about her character dynamics. Her two main characters are joined by a third more minor individual and she worries that it'll throw things off. Then EJ read's Chris' story where characters A and B are traveling together. Then character B dies and is replaced by character C. EJ considers the events and comes to a realization. If major character C had simply joined major characters A and B they would have clashed badly. Therefore, it's okay to have two major characters joined by a minor and the concern is laid to rest.
Yes, this was a lesson that I learned from a fellow writer. Instead of copying circumstances, the details in one story can bring revelations for your own story's situation. Read to learn. Keep yourself original.
That's my answer now let's hear from you.
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