Hunters Madness

Hunter S. Thompson was one of the best writers of his generation. You've all probably heard of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas to some extent (or at least seen the movie). HST is one of my all time favorite writers. I try and style my writing after his. Not that im about to run out and copy him and take a bunch of illicit, hallucinogenic drugs, but i love his energy and his personality in all of his works. Even in his personal letters to his mother, editor or close friends Hunter came through personally in his writing. This got me to investigate him a little more, and after watching numerous documentaries on his life and times i've discovered something rather intriguing about him. See, Hunter started like every other writer who wants to become a professional, from the bottom. He started out actually copying his favorite books word for word. Some of his favorites to copy were The Great Gatsby or anything else by F Scott Fitzgerald. Entire books would be punched out on his typewriter so that he could "get the rythm and mentalility of the author." And if you think about it for a second this is sheer genius. What better way to improve your writing or try and experiment then copying some of the most famous books of all time?