As artists, I think it’s crucial that we imitate and emulate. Try not to hate or love your mate? Let’s not go overboard.
In writing, finding your voice is key; the goal is to sound exactly like you. It’s easier said than done, though. And especially when you’re starting out.
One way to get there? Imitate those artists who inspire you. (One of the very best creativity books is about this very idea.) Do it enough, and eventually your voice will become one big unique stew of all your influences.
Through others, you’ll find your way to you.
I’ve done this for years and years. Some of the time, I’m aware of it. Most of the time, I’m not. When you dedicate yourself to consuming what you love—which for me, is humor—you can’t help but imitate it once you sit down to write.
Poet Billy Collins says it well:
"That’s one of the paradoxes of the writing life: that the way to originality is through imitation.”
Throughout time, artists have been combining and repurposing and reinterpreting those who came before them.
It’s nothing new. Turns out, “Everything is a Remix.”
I’ve been teetering near burnout lately, so I decided to stop and play a bit. I took a book written by one of my greats, Jack Handey, and tried to purposely imitate him. To internalize his strange and nonsensical way of looking at the world.
Handey is famous for “Deep Thoughts,” weird little interstitials I first discovered in 1991 when they aired on Saturday Night Live. Here’s his most famous:
If a kid asks where rain comes from, I think a cute thing to tell him is “God is crying.” And if he asks why God is crying, another cute thing to tell him is “Probably because of something you did.”
And here’s my favorite:
“The crows seemed to be calling his name, thought Caw.”
Could I imitate Handey? I sat down and gave it a shot.
I decided to take a few pieces of Handey’s writing, pinpoint why they’re funny, then try to replicate that same formula. It was hard as shit, and I only mildly succeeded. Here they are.
#1
Handey original: I hope I never do anything to bring shame on myself, my family, or my other family.
The formula: Pretending to care when you obviously do not care.
My try: I worry that I’ve been neglecting my child, ol’ what’s-his-name.
#2
Handey original: If a kid ever asks you how Santa Claus can live forever, I think a good answer is that he drinks blood.
The formula: Answering an innocent question of a child in a horrific way.
My try: If a kid ever asks you where the sun goes at night, I think a good answer is that it gets chained up in the basement.
#3
Handey original: It’s too bad cowboys didn’t eat much pizza back in the Old West, because I think a good painting would be a cowboy giving his last slice to his horse.
The formula: Reimagining classic artwork to include something unexpected.
My try: It’s a bummer Jesus wasn’t a drunk, because “The Last Supper” would be a lot cooler if they were doing shots.
Your turn. Go imitate me by imitating one of your greats.