Five Reasons for Writers to Be Readers
Writers are readers. Reading and writing are part of the same literary process. A musician listens to music. A football player watches games. A writer reads. Let’s explore ways curated reading can help aspiring writers become better authors. Writers who find well-written and transcendent mentor texts find inspiration and instruction by example.
Exposure to different writing styles and techniques
Reading widely exposes writers to a variety of writing styles and techniques. This can help us develop our unique style by experimenting with different approaches to language, structure, and pacing. Writers learn by reading within the genre they write, and they learn from reading widely. So, mix it up. Read memoirs and poetry. Explore novels and short stories. Read the kind of books you plan to write. Join a book club that pushes you outside your comfort zone.
Expanded vocabulary, grammar skills, and magic
Reading will expand a savvy writer’s vocabulary and grammar skills. When we encounter unfamiliar words and sentence structures in a well-written book, we can grow skills in using language to convey meaning effectively and precisely. When a writer is moved by a paragraph or sentence, deconstructing the writing, and looking for structure and literary devices can unveil some of the magic of clever work.
Writers are readers because they find Inspiration and motivation
Great books can inspire and motivate aspiring writers. By reading books that we admire, we find inspiration for our writing and develop an understanding of the elements that make a book great. This can help us stay motivated and focused on our writing projects. Writers can explore the contract the author makes at the beginning of the book and follow how the work meets or exceeds the expectation of the reader. (Sometimes when I feel stuck, I read a page from a book I love, and that alone helps me return to the work.)
Improved critical thinking skills
Reading requires critical thinking and analysis. Aspiring writers can benefit from reading influential books by developing critical thinking skills. By analyzing how narrative threads make sense in a work, writers see how characters act in ways that both make sense and surprise the reader. Writers must make sense and can’t be predictable.
Successful books often delve into the complexities of human nature and relationships. By reading books that explore these themes, we can dissect how people think, feel, and interact. This can help them create more realistic and compelling characters in their writing.
Art has a life of its own. But that life is born within the writer’s experience.
The vortex
When a writer has a rich reading life, studies craft, and keenly observes and experiences the world, their work becomes richer. The sum of exposures works its way into the writing. So while a writer studies and reads intently, much of the writing seems to originate from a place within them that does not feel concrete. The writing, when we are working in the zone, seems to come from a magical place. Art has a life of its own. But that life is born within the writer’s experience.
In conclusion, reading is essential for aspiring writers who want to improve their craft. Curating the reading experience brings the magic and more. By reading widely and critically, writers can expand their vocabulary and grammar skills, find inspiration and motivation, and gain a deeper understanding of human nature. So, aspiring writers, learn from the best by reading their books.
