Read More to Become a Better Writer
June 29, 2012 by Lillie
Last week I posted Copyblogger’s advice on how to become a better writer. That advice all involved actually writing—no matter what else you do, you will never become a good writer if you don’t write.
There is something else that will improve your writing, and that is reading. Often aspiring writers think that means they should read books and articles about writing. Reading about writing can, indeed, be extremely valuable, but that’s not the only kind of reading I recommend. Read the newspaper and magazines. Read books, both fiction and nonfiction. Read in the genre you write and read in totally unrelated genres.
What keeps you reading after you’ve promised yourself you’ll go to the bed at the end of the chapter? What pulls you out of the story and brings you back to the real world? As you think about what you like and don’t like in what you read, you will start to improve your own writing. You will do more of the things that work and less of the things that don’t.
By reading in your own genre, you’ll stay current on the conventions and expectations. By reading in other genres, you’ll get ideas for adding new twists to your own writing.
I have heard aspiring writers say they don’t have time to read because they’re too busy writing. Of course, you have to maintain a balance, but if you don’t love to read, how can you expect other people to love to read your work.
So far this year, I have read and rated more than 100 books (including short stories) on Goodreads. If you look at the list, you will see subjects ranging from light romance to Bible study to biography to culture and politics.What do you like to read? Do you post reviews or ratings of what you read? I’d love to see what a variety of reading interests there is among readers.
photo credit: theurchiness
Every writer have wish he/she wants to become best in the world but for this he/she needs to do hard work. Beside that now-a-days many options are available to learn much more things about writing.
Sam,
It takes a lot of reading and a lot of writing to become a good writer.
When you see photos of writers, you see them surrounded by shelves and piles of books. This obviously tells us that reading feeds and nourishes writers.
Excellent point, Gerard. Most writers have lots of books of their own and love libraries and bookstores.
I agree. Most good writers are good readers. It really enhance your vocabulary and makes you think out-of-the-box. However, I do tend to stick to my genre!
Mercy,
If you look at my reviews on Goodreads, you will see that I read in a variety of genres, but I have a few favorites. I also have some I usually don’t care for, such as fantasy and science fiction.
I think it is important to support our fellow authors out there, even the ones who don’t really know us and/or are of celebrity status. Yes, definitely, if you want to write books, you have to read books. I read a variety of books but also magazines and newspapers. It’s so important to know what is out there. Also, reading books will help a writer to better understand how stories/books are organized and put together.
Dawn,
You make two excellent points about supporting other writers and learning about writing structure by reading.
Not only do you have to read more, Lillie, but you also have to read in the fields you want to write, just so you know what writing styles and topics are current. I’m also a playwright and review submissions for a major theater, and it’s painfully obvious to me when the writer who submits a play hasn’t read any plays published after 1960 because of his writing style. Because it’s so old-fashioned, the play doesn’t have a chance of getting produced.
Leo,
Good advice. Writing styles change in all genres, and if the writer isn’t current on the industry and their genre, they won’t succeed.
Because of good reading material we can have good ideas to dish up but to be a good writer, reading and writing should be consistent.
Yes, Maja, consistency is very important.
I definitely agree with this. I am not a good writer but I can say that my passion in writing drives me to improve my skill. I remember my professor before told me that I have to read more to improve my writing skills. He told me to read books or novels more often. Good books help you to grow intellectually. Reading will help you to form your own ideas, thoughts and feelings about yourself, things and others. Good books help you to succeed. They are precious tools to the man who wants to get ahead. Good books are the cheapest form of education i know.
Thank you for sharing this. Have great day !
Neil,
You make excellent points about the value of reading.
Lillie you are certainly a well read individual, more than 100 books in 7 months is an awful lot! Congrats
Honestly, I prefer to read on paper rather than a PC screen, however most of the stuff I want to read is online, and I don’t like printing, as it is costly to my pocket and the planet. I need a paper internet to evolve!
Christopher,
I wouldn’t read nearly as much if I had to read on paper. My eyesight makes it difficult to read the small print, and I can adjust my Kindle so the font is very large. Also, I don’t have to worry about trying to hold a book open with one hand when I’m eating. The Kindle is actually lighter than many paperbacks and certainly lighter than hardcover books. So for me there are a lot of advantages, and the eink makes it virtually like reading print on paper.
Gosh, I never knew that Lillie! I have yet to invest in my Kindle… sounds like I should check one out
Christopher,
Some people prefer to read on tablets or smartphones or other devices, but I love my Kindle.
To become better in any field, knowing about it will always be very helpful. You cannot become a writer just by writing things, first you should understand what people want and deliver that to them. They should find your work irresistible. It is alright if you write one book in your whole life but make sure it is like what the people have never read before.
Thomas,
I agree that knowing what you are writing about makes you a better writer, but I also believe that you can become a better writer writing anything. Just the act of choosing words, forming sentences, and putting them together into paragraphs develops writing skill.
This is so true and I can tel this from my personal experience. My English was horrible, I couldn’t write a sentence without making spelling mistakes or grammatical errors. I just didn’t know what to do that’s when a friend of mine suggested that I should read books to improve myself. I started with comics then progressed to novels. That actually improved my language. It really works.
James,
I appreciate your telling us about your experience–it adds credibility to my post. And I’m very glad you found a way to improve your writing.
Reading books will make the person gain knowledge and will help the person to think. It doesn’t only do good for developing your writing but also good for you to improve your speech skills. Also, Language is a very important concept. Language will give you the ability to talk people who are strongly in the power of imagination and thinking. The person who is capable and qualified to do this will be able to think, speak and write…You need to be creative while you are thinking, and you need to be thinking while you are speaking. Last, you need to write in order to be heard by others. To me, reading is not enough to be a good writer. I think you need to be able to follow these rules. Read, speak, share, think and write…And a lot of practice…Then you will be improving your writing.
Ilayda,
Yes, it takes much more to improve your writing than reading more, but I think reading more and writing more are the most important elements.
My English is terrible, I can’t write a sentence without doing the mistake on spelling error and grammar. I do not just know what will be done, as a friend of mine advises me to read books, in order to improve oneself.
Kim,
Reading good books will help improve hour English skills. As you become more familiar with the vocabulary, diction, spelling, and grammar used in good writing, you will start to adopt the correct spelling and grammar. Wrong words and poor construction will start to sound strange to you.
There is nothing like diving into a good book. I can tell you that when I read for fun (rather than more text like books) I am in awe of details and how the author pieces things together. I can only dream of writing like this and wrapping people into a story.
Victoria,
You will learn to write better by doing just what you’re doing–paying attention to what you’re reading.
Reading the works of other writers help you generate more ideas. It also helps you improve your writing style.
Yes, Nina, I agree.
Writing should be balanced with reading. A writer must read a lot for it helps to collect ideas and some sort give wider perspective. One could learn a lot in reading, and a writer should know how to read if what he has written is worth reading of.
Elaine,
I’m always amazed when writers tell me they’re too busy to read or even they don’t like to read. I don’t see how you can be a writer without reading.