How To smash Writer's Block:
Kill Your Idols
Do you remember the first time you realized you’re an entity separate from your parents? With your own opinions, likes, dislikes?
That moment of self awareness?
Do you remember when you rebelled against your idols?
We all start copying the artists and creators we love.
At some point we start disagreeing with their working model.
On a large or small scale.
Meaning, we drop parts of the model they used that we copied.
Or we drop them entirely and seek out new models.
We study the models our new idols have shared with us. We keep a thing or two, drop the rest, and we go on to another idol while we do our work.
At some point we understand the scavenging process is necessary for our authenticity to come through in what we do.
But the moment you realize you’re your own entity is a moment of existential dread.
I remember as a teenager being blown away by Harlan Ellison.
His flamboyant, high verbiage style was so alluring that I imitated him feverishly.
As an adult I found myself leaning more in the direction of “write the way you talk.”
This came shortly after I discovered Jim Thompson.
Thompson made poetry out of vulgarity.
Thompson was more accessible than Ellison.
So I started moving away from Ellison.
But I did so slowly. I would even say reluctantly.
I stayed with Ellison longer than I should have.
The internal conflict this created caused me to struggle creatively. Just producing daily became a challenge.
I was caught between two powerful forces.
It wasn’t unlike a child being pressured to decide between his divorcing parents.
Because at at the time it felt like I was betraying Ellison.
If you as a creator struggle with this impostor by proxy feeling, understand:
This is part of your artistic evolution.
This is what happens on your way to becoming your true artistic self.
Like a child who starts asserting their independence from their parents.
Painful, but necessary to become a fully functioning adult who contributes to the world.
In the same way, your artistic brand is made of many, who are linked by the unique ingredient that only you can bring, so you can add to the gestalt of creativity.
So don’t be afraid to leave your idols behind to step into your own artistic power.
Indeed! Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but do not forget yourself.
I don't think I've paid any mind to famous/prominent authors' writing style myself. But I do remember getting "stained" by the writing style of whatever I happen to be reading at the moment. I guess all writers are patterns of others' writings stiched together over the years.