Of course, they didn't. In fact, I suspect the impulse to > imitate plays a big part in the formation of most artists. > Over on the Hemingway list, as Adam will know (Adam whom > I thank for his kind & supportive words), there has recently > been a discussion whether or not Hemingway had the practice > of actually copying out passages from certain writers in order > to absorb - by a kind of magical osmosis -their techniques. As most of you probably already know, copying the style of another writer is actually a common writing exercise, known as a "pastiche". It may or may not be effective, depending upon your reasons for doing it. I personally haven't had occasion to gain much from it, mostly because my attempts were not very successful. On the other hand, I think my writer's "Voice" is as much a compilation of traits I've abosrbed from other writers as it is exclusively my own voice. Do you other writers here find that to be true? Brendan ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com