This is a fairly 'literary' game, and can be quite tricky to master. It requires (and helps develop) a lot of understanding and control over voice: both your own, and what makes up someone else's. With practice, however, you can use it to fine tune your own voice for different projects, or fit your words seamlessly to someone else's. As a technical writer, controlling your voice and blending in is essential. As a creative writer, the ability grants access to a host of new techniques and ways to play.

If you're just starting out with the game, choose something easy - either:

• an author whose work you love (and are therefore very familiar with)
• an author whose work is very different from your own
• poetry. (I first learned this game mimicking Sylvia Plath).

Find an example of their work - a page or two, or a poem, and study it. Look for the patterns of their writing - phrases they like, what kind of words do they choose, how does the work sound, or feel in the mouth when you read it aloud? What tones does it evoke, does it demand to be read slowly, quickly, does the tempo jump? Don't worry if you can't see too much at first - this is something that demands practice.

Now, try to write a scene (or poem, if you chose a poet) in their voice. Try to mimic the style, structure, word choice, tone, rhythm, pattern, phrases and imagery that makes up their voice.

It takes practice, a lot of practice, but it's an extremely useful (I'd venture near saying 'essential') skill. When you've mastered the familiar voice, try for the unfamiliar. Pick up a book by an author you've never read, and read a chapter.  Then write a scene in their voice.