Read to Write
Most of us have heard the dictum, "Writers are readers". It is a truism that the more you read, the better you will write.
A basic rule is to read what you want to write. For instance, if you'd like to write a column, read the best columns out there. If you want to write for children, read the best children's stories.
Why is it important for writers to read? Here are a few reasons:
1) Reading makes you aware of writing techniques that work. As you read, you will notice the techniques the writer used to make his article or story worthy of publication.
2) Reading provides possible ideas for your own writing. Many of my articles have resulted from reading the Bible, literary classics, or the newspaper.
3) Reading enriches vocabulary as well as writing style. As you read, you will discover new words or old words used in new ways. You will also learn how the writer puts words together to create impact.
If you are not already an avid reader, make it your goal to become one. Your writing will thank you for it. :-)
And that's my "musing that matters" for today. :-)
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Copyright 2007 by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D. All rights reserved. This blog entry may NOT be reproduced, reprinted, or published in any form whatsoever without the written permission of Dr. MaryAnn Diorio. You may, however, forward it to others, but please do so IN ITS ENTIRETY. Thank you for your cooperation.
Blessings,
MaryAnn
Comments
I agree with this, completely, and I am constantly reading novels in the suspense/mystery genre. although, I have discovered that many of my original ideas ( from years past) have already been explored many times over. I have a friend who reads a story or a novel, then takes the original idea and provides his own spin-off of the plot, but he uses different characters, themes and sub motifs.
I think I need to clarify the above: his final story is his own invention, but the original has given him a starting point of inspiration, and often, when he is disappointed in a story's basic outcome, he attempts to rectify or challenge the original work and make it into what he sees as more pliable and less predictable.
There's nothing new under the sun, so what Skye's friend does is simply tell an old story in a new way. We all do that. I often get ideas when reading other books. It's the iron sharpening iron.
I've heard it said that writers need to read in every genre, from great writing, to not so great, good, bad and downright awful. Our own developing writing styles will show us which are which. No one wants to be compared with Bulwer-Lytton any more, but his writing was considered good (not to mention exciting) when he was published. (His most famous and the world's most overused novel opening being: "It was a dark and stormy night."
Snoopy was exceptionally fond of it, but Madeline L'Engle used it to good effect in A WRINKLE IN TIME.)
There are no guarantees that our writing will stand the test of time from an earthly standpoint, but if what we read inspires us to write what will endure from a spiritual standpoint, we'll have accomplished our goal.
Happy Reading! And Writing!
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I totally agree, Mary Ann.
Sometimes, an editor or agent will ask where we see our book fitting in. It will help us to know other books in the genre we're writing so we can say, well, my book is similar to The Lord of the Rings.
But be careful when comparing yourself to something as big as TLOTR. You can do yourself more damage because, let's face it, no one is JRR Tolkien.