I have a theory, which is probably a bad theory, that a lot of learning how to write is done through imitation.
In addition to being popular, I would argue that the theory isn't bad, because it's true. I don't have my copy of Samuel R. Delany's On Writing to hand, but there are quotes in there to the effect of, "the only way to learn how to write is to read extensively" and "you can't write a book better than the best book you've read in the last six months", which (combined with my own experience) suggests that the imitation of good models is the most reliable method of learning how to write with any degree of eloquence.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
momijizukamori
no subject
Date: 2006-02-28 03:00 am (UTC)In addition to being popular, I would argue that the theory isn't bad, because it's true. I don't have my copy of Samuel R. Delany's On Writing to hand, but there are quotes in there to the effect of, "the only way to learn how to write is to read extensively" and "you can't write a book better than the best book you've read in the last six months", which (combined with my own experience) suggests that the imitation of good models is the most reliable method of learning how to write with any degree of eloquence.