Imitations

by Jamie Lee Hamann

One of the hardest things to find in our search as writers is our own voice. Sometimes it takes a study of the work available to find our place as writers.
True creative energy within a bubble is a myth. We obtain much of our ideas from using the foundations of the previous generations of writers whether we like it or not. So much of that "grand mystical" motivation to write comes from data collected.
Imitating for answers to questions or imitating to try something new is an incredible way to find a voice and to learn about the art of writing.

181 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

About the author

Jamie Lee Hamann is a poet, essayist, and science writer whose work lives at the intersection of the literary and the scientific — the place where the wonder of the natural world meets the craft and beauty of literary form. In Science: Poems and Writings, Hamann brings together two distinct literary registers — the essay and the poem — to create a dual-form collection that is as intellectually engaging as it is sensory and beautiful. It is a collection for the science lover who has always wanted their passion treated with literary seriousness, and for the curious newcomer who has been waiting for the science writing that welcomes them through wonder rather than demanding prior expertise. Hamann's work speaks to readers across communities — science poetry and literary science writing, nature writing and natural world poetry, accessible science and
science education, and the growing readership of readers who live at the crossroads of the scientific and the literary and refuse to choose between the two. Hamann, born in 1972 in San Jose California, is a multi-genre poet/author known for compelling poetry collections on various themes of traditional lyrical narrative. Included in his works is a novel and short stories of character driven speculative fiction.
Hamann holds a degree in Molecular Biology from University of Providence Great Falls Montana. His Bachelor’s was obtained using his GI Bill from his six years of service in Army MEDDAC as a lab technologist and helped run Blood Banks during Desert Storm. “Six Years in Service” is his debut poetry collection which opens a discussion beyond military experience into the emotions of living through life changing events and moving on afterwards, a common theme in Hamann’s collections.
Before pursuing writing full-time Jamie Lee Hamann worked as a Histotechnologist, an experience with science and human anatomy that heavily influences how science is presented in many of his books. Since his debut collection Hamann has authored many poetry collections from the hybrid eco-verse and essay in “A Life in the Sierra” to the tragic love story of Edna St. Vincent Millay in “Songs for Sefe.”
Growing up around Lake Tahoe Nevada, Hamann developed a life long passion for mountains, poetry and storytelling. Many of Hamann’s collections advocate for conservation of National Forests and Public Parks in America. His hybrid style of storytelling opens up honest conversations at the intersection of science or ecology and literature.

Reviews

[Lauren Cross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this feeling less pressured about originality. The book argues that influence is unavoidable, and that idea was surprisingly freeing.

[Ava Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting look at how imitation can actually lead to authenticity. It made me rethink how I approach learning from writers I admire.

[Raymond Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sounds more like a conversation about writing than a rulebook, which I prefer. I’m especially curious about how imitation can actually help develop authenticity instead of blocking it.

[Richmond Ayomide · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marking this as want-to-read. The theme of finding a voice through imitation sounds useful for beginners and experienced writers alike. Curious to see how deeply the author explores it.