If You’re Going to Write, Read, Read, Read

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If You’re Going to Write, Read, Read, Read

Posted on December 25th, 2008 in Writing by Adam Henry Sears

There comes a time in every writer’s life when we realize that not only do we want to write for our own love of the vocation, but we also want to be recognized by other writers and readers, and to leave behind a well-crafted legacy of sorts for our lineage. It eventually becomes an undeniable thirst for some, and for others, a test of the willpower to do better, to be the best that our energies and focus will allow. So, how do we get past that realization, and continue on the track of hurdles to our finish line? Here are a few suggestions.

“Good stories are all around us. The trick is developing an active curiosity about them—the way a child does.” – Philip Barry Osborne

Do you like to write? If you do, then the best way to learn or develop your skill is to read everything in your chosen field of interest. If you like to write poetry then read your local library’s poetry suggestions. If you like to write short stories, subscribe to Reader’s Digest, or go to second-hand bookstores and look up some anthologies. Do an online search for magazines in your favorite genre. If you’d like to write a good mystery novel, then read as many others as you can. If you want to write the next great fantasy epic, then read some great fantasy epics.

Take Notes

“I want to suggest that to write to your best abilities, it behooves you to construct your own toolbox and then build up enough muscle so you can carry it with you. Then, instead of looking at a hard job and getting discouraged, you will perhaps seize the correct tool and get immediately to work.” – Stephen King

This may seem like a foolhardy or tedious idea, taking notes, but it works. When you read with an objective eye, you realize there is more going on underneath the surface than is readily seen. When you can see the underpinnings of a story, you begin to realize what structure and plot are and how they can be used with good effect. Also, understanding how these things cohere to the storyline and characters gives the writer a deeper appreciation for the act of writing. And, in this case, appreciation leads to a more careful writer.

Now, don’t misunderstand the request here. No one needs to write a complete synopsis of another’s work in order to acquire a feel for how it ’should’ or ’should have’ worked. Keep a note pad and pocket dictionary handy for two reasons:

Words are the writer’s most important tools, so learn how they’re used and what they mean. Increase your vocabulary.
More importantly, pay attention to shifts in storyline or structure. Pay attention to who knows what first and how that knowledge affects the rest of the story. Keep your eyes keen for how these mysteries and subtleties are revealed, whether by design or by accident. Last, but not least, look for changes in character definition, those ‘aah’ moments when the people in the story decide what they’re going to do with their circumstances and time.

When it comes to poetry, look for material that was published at least twenty years ago. Back then, poetry was published on its own merit, so, it HAD to be good in order to make it into the ‘published’ realm. Back then, the waters of poetry were clearer and cleaner because everyone that wanted to write it had to prove their skill and diversify. Nowadays, laziness has diluted the freshness and power of poetry. Poetry is supposed to be sitting on the pinnacles of the writing endeavor, but the sluggishness of heart-felt free verse has eroded the bedrock of those pedestals to the point that it looks like poetic justice is teetering on the edge of the chasm. Go back in time and look for poetry that actually interests you. When you take notes on poetry, concern yourself mainly with what grabbed your attention and why, and how it affects you personally. Make notes on particular phrases and how different forms work. It takes time, but immersing yourself in a genre does that.

See the difference between poetry, free verse, and free form.

Dare To Compare

Haven’t you ever wondered what some popular author would be doing if they hadn’t made it? What would Stephen King be doing now if he hadn’t finished Carrie? What would J. K. Rowling be at if she hadn’t set out to complete the Philosopher’s Stone? Oh, and hey, what will you be doing five or ten years from now?

Stephen King reads hundreds of books a year. J. K. Rowling researched every creature from mythology and folklore and learned how these fantastical beings came about before she used them or delved into creating her own.

There’s no shame in reaching for the stars, or dreaming big. That’s how we start out anyway. Keep that dream of yours held high, and dare yourself to go for it by doing what you want to do. Write, write, write. Oh, and while you’re at it: read, read, read.

Here are some quotes for inspiration.

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Tags: ability, Appreciation, craft, Develop, fiction, genre, learning to write, plot, poem, poetic justice, poetry, reading, reading habits, skill, stories, Storyline, structure, taking notes, Writing, writing habits

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41 Responses to “If You’re Going to Write, Read, Read, Read”

Inna Tysoe
December 25th, 2008 at 1:40 am

Some great suggestions there. (And of course Stephen King’s book on writing is a must-read.) For me what helps too is writing. You learn by doing.

Best,

Inna
Morgana
December 25th, 2008 at 1:46 am

Very good advise. I try to read.I have an unhealthy fascination with romance novels. I very rarely read anything else. I’m aware that I have to mix it up a little and start reading work with more substance to them.
nutuba
December 25th, 2008 at 5:55 am

Wonderful advice — thanks for the reminder! Your comments regarding poetry are insightful …
Sharona
December 25th, 2008 at 7:26 am

You make me think.
Thank you
Jeoffrey Meister
December 25th, 2008 at 9:04 am

Great article, Adam; I believe a good writer will actually do a lot more reading in their life than they do writing.
Johanan Rakkav
December 25th, 2008 at 10:53 am

Excellent article!

How about these three words: read, write and revise? I’ve lost track of the thousands of revisions in my backstory that I’ve made over the (literal) decades. Not just my reading, but my living has been responsible for that. The more I’ve grown, the more my characters have grown, and that’s BEFORE they’ve seen the light of day here (where, admittedly, they need to grow a lot more).
Abdul Sabour Ayoubi
December 25th, 2008 at 11:52 am

A great piece, which has invaluable information. Keep it on and thanks for sharing.
JRWhyte
December 25th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

It a great and informative article. I like to read more than to write. Now, there are too information in the Internet and we are not reading so much complete documents.
Liane Schmidt
December 25th, 2008 at 2:01 pm

I love this – it was written with striking passion and eloquence – you have an exceptional gift!*

Blessings.

Sincerely,

-Liane Schmidt.
Holly J. Yarrington
December 25th, 2008 at 5:58 pm

This is a most informative and outstanding article on going from reading to writing.
I have a question is there anyone here who took Enlish Literature?
Please drop me a note.
For economic reason’s years ago I had to take a detour in my schooling and go for basic business courses.
In 8th grade my aptitude was for English Literature and lately I feel I missed out and I was wondering its been about 20 years but I needed to know if anyone recently studied in this field and if it would be worth it to go back to school and get my degree and see if I should bury the past by catching up to the future?
Anyway this article inspired me to ask Thank You Mr. Sears.
Please dont anyone be shy if you can e-mail me please do.
I do read and write a little but I could educate myself but a degree would be something to have under one’s belt if needed.
Janie
December 25th, 2008 at 6:36 pm

Whenever I try to write, all I can think about is other things I have read. It doesn’t help me at all.
Adam Henry Sears
December 25th, 2008 at 7:13 pm

Hi Janie, how are you?
Have you considered a quiet place away from distractions? Also, just try to clear your mind and think about only what you want to write. It helps for me. Maybe it’ll help for you?! Take care, and good luck.
MountainNana
December 25th, 2008 at 8:29 pm

Some very good advice and things to consider in your article. Useful information and very true.
James DeVere
December 25th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

Here,here!

Well, my goal for 2009 is having one international bestseller, published by a traditional, world class publisher by June 6th, 2009 at 6pm.

This stuff inspires me to roll up my sleeves and get going! Thanks again, Adam . j
Eunice Tan
December 25th, 2008 at 10:14 pm

A very important message. -Read- is a must for me.
Ain Adelin
December 26th, 2008 at 12:41 am

Its common sense what you said, something ive been trying to find a short cut to, but you just gotta do it, like you said..read, read, read. I know, my grammar’s a bit off here, but I’m sixteen. HAha. anyways I’m in the process of reading as many books as possible in a year to improve vocab. and see what I enjoy most, and for what reasons. Reading this just encourages me and lets me know I’m on my wayto finding out if I’m destined to be a writer or not.

Thank you
Carolyn Ann Aish
December 26th, 2008 at 3:50 am

This is great! Good advice for writers and budding writers. I particularly like the last section with its challenge ‘Dare to Compare’ – the need for ‘finishing power’ – I need to take that on board too! Thanks.
Mark Borg
December 26th, 2008 at 4:17 am

This was a great article. It really gives me inspiration to write more and more.
Glynis Smy
December 26th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

I have started asking for friends to give me a book, any book,this way I am getting a varied range of reading material for free. I have become a fan of some,and who before reading,I would never have looked at twice. I make myself read each book.
This article gave the reader something to bite onto from the very start, great advise and guidance.
trishia
December 26th, 2008 at 10:42 pm

Thank you for sharing this information. I truly appreciate your comments on”Will You Love Me after?” It means so much to me to have receive your comments. I’m looking foward to reading more of your writes.
Jamie Lee
December 27th, 2008 at 6:05 am

Hi, Adam.
Your article is very good– very helpful! Thanks for sharing!
Jamie Lee
December 27th, 2008 at 6:13 am

Hi, Janie.
Have you considered writing about some of your own experiences in ways that could possible help someone else? I believe everyone has a story to tell that can help someone else in some way. Write what is in your heart.
AC Hamilton III
December 27th, 2008 at 10:09 am

Hey Jamie, I think he just did. (smile) Excellent informaton again. You are right too, I looked up information online about poems and the different forms. There is a lot of information available. I even ran across a guy who created his own new form for poetry according to him: It’s called a Lento. Have you heard of it? Thanks again for your inspiration.
AC Hamilton III
December 27th, 2008 at 10:16 am

Sorry, meant, I think “she” just did. Keep trying Janie. I don’t know if all agree, but there have been times I have studied, felt I wasn’t getting anything, but later somehow it all just clicked. I read one more thing and suddenly everything else made sense.

Blessings everyone.
Bill M. Tracer
December 27th, 2008 at 11:51 am

Well written, and thought out. Excellent advice, thank you.
Ashley Ann
December 27th, 2008 at 5:03 pm

I love this article, it has become very useful.
Mark Check
December 28th, 2008 at 3:57 am

A little cut and dry in a sense that’s simply not to favorite tastes, but written well enough to be a handy and simple reference tool for many I think. There’s a “Hey, if you wanna get fit, go exercise” sort of theme running throughout, but this article also touches upon many basic truths about writing. Sometimes its really that simple; just go out and immerse yourself in that which is reflective of what you want to create.
MJPatrick
December 28th, 2008 at 8:16 am

Thanks for this very helpful tips.
Dee Gold
December 28th, 2008 at 7:09 pm

Inspiring article
MMV Abad
December 29th, 2008 at 5:02 am

Great advice as usual!
Judy Sheldon
December 29th, 2008 at 8:09 pm

I could not agree more, and there are so many great reads to choose from!
Yovita Siswati
December 30th, 2008 at 12:46 am

Very useful and very true. I like this article. Thanks for the tips!
Alvin Lim
January 6th, 2009 at 7:37 pm

Very useful tips. I often find myself having writer’s block…not because I don’t have any idea what to write, but because I don’t know how to express it out. In the end, I opt for drawing or sketching. Maybe this is due to the fact that I hardly read any fictions. I’m a fan of non-fictions.
JK Kristie
January 8th, 2009 at 9:41 am

This is a very interesting and informative piece. The thing is I don’t want to dream in becoming a serious writer.
Debra.
January 8th, 2009 at 11:06 pm

Very well put, Henry. Whenever I find myself plagued with writers block, I just relax my mind and do something else for a change and not long after something sparks my interest and my mind is off. It’s like your memory, when you try so hard to remember something but it isn’t coming to you then you stop trying and it comes on it’s own. Give your brain a rest and once it’s had time load it will function properly again and the pages will start flipping left and right.
Maria Blazz
January 9th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

I totally agree. There’s no good writing without reading. When I read my favorite authors, I have fun but I also get inspiration to write, and certainly I learn from them.
Brian Daniel Stankich
January 9th, 2009 at 11:10 pm

Adam, this is superb! You give specific, helpful advice. You motivate me. I’ve been on a writing binge for 4 months, like never before. The reason? Three years ago I went on a reading binge for 3 years now. I know there is a direct correlation. Great, great, great. Brian
Lorenzo A. Fernandez Jr.
January 11th, 2009 at 6:29 pm

Full of insights, especially about reading; if one doesn’t have time to read, he can hardly write…
Bjoern
January 28th, 2009 at 4:19 pm

I would be interested in what you like to read. I find my writing to be somewhat similar to your own and I am curious to see if the similarity is rooted in some common literary works.
I agree whole heartedly. Every time I read a novel, I find myself writing in a similar style, although never quite as successfully as the original writer. Its important to use YOUR style, but you have to find it first.
Koyin
March 29th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

True dat
Hiho
June 19th, 2009 at 10:20 am

I\’ve always been a reader..books, magazines, newspapers, Hansard Reports (parliamentary papers)..a real bookworm. As a child, I used to pick a character in a novel and read their lines out loud (in my bedroom behind a closed door of course). Funny thing is, I\’m not a fiction writer..all the articles I\’ve written @ Triond and Bukisa are based on real people, real events and real-life \’stuff\’. Who knows, your advice may help me to write my own novel one day. Liked this article Adam Henry Sears.