I still read as much as
possible. I don’t believe you can really
write well unless you do because it is by reading that we learn. I’m not just referring to gaining knowledge
on a particular topic, although all of my research comes by books and
magazines, but reading other authors in order to learn how they weave their magical
words together. While I still love
getting lost in a great story, I can’t
finish a section without going back and seeing how that author made me feel
what he wanted me to feel. I examine
sentence structure, pacing, the words used or even the words not used. I want to know their tricks.
When it comes to fictional
reading, it’s the story that grips me; not the genre. While fantasy authors dominate my bookshelves,
I also enjoy a good mystery, a steamy romance or erotica, and a classy
classic. I am actually in the middle of
four books now, each of a different genre, including a memoir. I disagree with the mindset that reading the category
you are writing will spoil your story.
These authors have succeeded and I want to know how, and the only way to
do that is to read. Am I influenced by
them? Of course I am, that doesn’t
weaken my craft; it strengthens it. I believe
writers have to read differently than other people. It’s as if when we read, school is always in
session.
Furthermore, reading gives me
ideas. By reading the newspaper, the articles
people share on Twitter or Facebook, or browsing through magazines, I gain some
of my blog rants such as Supersize Me! and The Rights of Chickens. It also aids me in my freelance writing for
other magazines by giving me valuable research or showing me a direction I hadn’t
thought of before. Some of these I just clip
out, copy, and stuff in a rainy day folder to pull from when my well of inspiration
begins to run dry. Reading helps open my
eyes as long as I keep my mind open as well.
Reading was the spring board into
my dream of being a writer. Reading is
also the tool that keeps me at it and motivates me to strive for better
prose. It sparks that drive of
imagination within me that says, “I can do that.”
If I think about it, it’s a
circle, really. I’ve read, so I want to
write. I write, therefore I read. How about you? If you’re a writer, what stories catapulted
you into writing? If you’re not a
writer, what stories bring you the most enjoyment?
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I don't think I have ever thought of it this way... that reading would prompt to write but I do know that it is true. I will read a self-help article or something dealing with relationships and that prompts me to start putting together a blog in my head... smiles!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this post... thank you for sharing!
~z
My pleasure and thank you for visiting and commenting :)
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