Writers Should Also Be Readers

 

Writers should be readers. A pure and simple statement. There are writers who do not read; they say they don't have time for reading. It takes away from hours spent writing. Or they'll mumble something about not wanting to be too influenced by other writers. I don't buy those reasons at all.

I believe writers should also be avid readers. Reading encourages imagination and feeds our love of words, or language. Writers should read to see what works and what doesn't work. They read to understand the human condition, which is all important in their own writing.

Reading expands the possibilities in writing and also keeps the brain active. It even reduces stress. Of course it does. When you slip inside a book, the rest of your world waits outside for you. For those minutes or hours you are reading, nothing bothers you. Reading gives you time to be alone with your thoughts/

Reading the writing of others adds strength to your understanding of the fundamentals of writing. It exercises your mental muscles. I love the concept of 'mental muscles.' That's something we should all strive to keep active. Our bodies need exercise, and so do our brains.

You, the writer, can find inspiration in reading. You can also connect to other authors as you read. Should you copy other writers? Certainly not. You can be influenced by another writer, but you need to keep your own voice as you write.

Lastly, the more you read, the more you are exposed to good writing. If it's been published, it is most often good writing. Not always the case, but usually.

When you spend time reading, don't ever feel guilty. You are increasing your own ability to write. Go to the bookstore, the library, or some other outlet for books--perhaps your pwersonal home library. Find a book and read!

Q and A for Writers About Reading

 

Stephen King's quote is pretty direct. It's the kind that makes you sit up and pay attention. It also sounds like something your high school or college English teacher might tell you. 

A few questions and answers:

What's the big deal about reading if you want to be a writer? Are you supposed to read another writer's work, then try to be them? Absolutely not. Every writer should strive to be one of a kind. You don't want to sound like Danielle Steele or John Grisham or Charles Dickens. Your aim is to have your own voice, your own style of writing. Strive to be an individual in the writing world.

So, why push all that reading? Writers learn a great deal from reading the work of others. We find things we like and ones we don't. We see the mechanics of writing and absorb them as we read. We find the writers whose work appeals most to us, and then we should make an assessment as to why. Maybe it's the way the author brings emotion to the story or builds tension creating a page-turner. As you read, your subconscious notes many of these little things as well as your conscious mind. 

Should I read the same genre that I write? Yes, you should, but also read other kinds of books. If you write romance, try a sci-fi occasionally, or a murder mystery. If you write fantasy, give historical fiction a try now and then. Widen your horizons when it comes to the type of book or story you read.

What about nonfiction? Yes, read that, too. Read memoir and personal essays, articles on whatever subject interests you. Read educational books and magazines to learn, but also to expose yourself to this type of writing. 

I'm not crazy about poetry, so do I have to read that, too? Why not? You can learn about writing by reading poems as well as prose. As you read, note things like alliteration and metaphor. Do you see a story in the poem, or is it one filled with images? You can embrace the beauty of the words in some poetry and then use the techniques in your own writing. 

Should I read books about writing? A great big YES! Don't merely read them. Absorb them! Build your own personal library of books that teach you about your craft. 

Should I pay attention to what Stephen King tells me? He's a very successful writer, so I would heed his words. Not to write exactly like he does but to learn from someone who knows what he is talking about. I've suggested more than once that writers would benefit from reading King's book titled On Writing. I think it is one of the best on the subject. 

Is there any other reason I should read? Yes, you should also read for sheer pleasure. Some of us are born readers, taking to it like candy when we are children. Others must learn to be readers. Some read only what is totally necessary to get through life. Because I love to read, I feel they miss a great deal. Read to relax and get away from the everyday chores and routines and jobs we all have.

Writers Must Also Be Readers

Flowers and a Book--Happiness

Today's photo shows us two things that make me happy. I love flowers, as do most of us, but I also love books. Reading is my favorite pastime. Why it is referred to as a 'pastime' is beyond me. I don't read to 'pass the time' but for pleasure and to increase my knowledge.

All writers should be avid readers. The more you read, the more you soak up ways to write. I've often said you should not copy the style of other writers, be yourself. However, being a sponge to what others write is not necessarily meant for you to copy the way they write.

Instead, it is a way of learning the different styles of writing. When you read with a writer's eye, you decide very quickly which kind of prose you like best. Some people adore flowery, poetic prose while others prefer plain, get-to-it writing that still offers a good story. 

When you read novels, you learn what kind of dialogue you like and the type you don't care for. You figure out whether you like stories with flashbacks, ones with prologues, and/or epilogue. Descriptions in books help you know what type of description you want to use in your own stories. Long detailed ones, or short and snappy but giving a definite image to the reader.

All your likes and dislikes in your reading help you with your own writing. 

Of course, there is one more good reason to be a reader. You should be reading books about writing. Beginning writers sometimes think that they've read one reference book on the craft and that's all they need before diving into the writing pool. Wrong! I don't think you can read too many how-to books to help you learn to write like a pro. I'm not suggesting that you read one a week, but new ones come out on a regular basis, and the best old ones stay in print. Some cover all aspects of writing while others might be directed at one type. 

Here's yet another reason for a writer to be a reader. You set an example for others. Writers want others to read their work, so we should be the first in reading. 

Have you read a good book lately? How about putting a recommendation in the Comments section below? I'm reading The Giver of Stars by JoJo Mayes and enjoying it immensely. Last week I read The Last Train To London by Meg Waite Clayton, heartbreaking story about the early days of the Nazi regime and a Dutch woman who helps bring Jewish children to England. A tough subject but well-written and absorbing.