Don't Imitate; Integrate

Any good writer will tell you that you need to read. You need to read a wide array of writers and find the ones you like. Any writing that moves you has some quality that you should strive to understand and then employ. Even people who don't write, but enjoy reading will do the same thing. We're always attracted to things we like.

The best part about reading something really good is that it often inspires us to create. I'm sure that after you read enough Sherlock Holmes or watch enough House, you will have a great desire to write your own supergenius detective.

Now here comes the important part. If you want to write about a mystery solver, then just go out and do it.

It's obvious, I know. But I also know that the obvious needs to be said periodically. All too often, I see writers who read something they like, want to write something in a similar vein, and then don't. They keep condemning themselves. They think that they are copying or stealing from their favorite writers. They think that the only thing they will be able to make is a pale imitation.

Well, if you try to imitate somebody, it will likely come out pale. But that's the key. Don't imitate; integrate. You should be learning principles and techniques. But neither of them are completely concrete. No matter what you write, you will always sound like you as long as you don't try to sound different. Just write your mystery the way that you would write a mystery. Use he principles you've learned and apply them through the techniques that you prefer. Experiment as much as you see fit.

Never be afraid that you are stealing from somebody. For one thing, you have to try to steal. For another thing the worst thing you can do to yourself is not write while you are inspired to do so.