Reading Makes Better Writers

The most important thing a writer must do is write. The second most important is read. Reading is what inspired us to do what we do. By reading we gain knowledge but we also learn skills.

We can learn by example. Most people do this little trick and don’t even realize it. Writer’s can learn from each other’s style and verbiage as much as we can from taking classes. It’s all there in our favorite books.

As we get lost in a tale our minds are picking out things that we can use and apply to our own skill set. We might recognize it when it happens but most often not. We’re not learning to imitate our favorite authors as we did when we first began putting pen to paper.

We are loading our tool box up with different styles and techniques that will help us as our own style and technique grows. So it is vastly important to read as much as we write.

Find a cozy spot to mark as your reading room. Even if it’s just the end of the couch, make it your reading space with good light and favorite books. Maybe even a note pad just in case there is something you find you want to make note of.

Or an idea blooming from a scene or phrase that you’ve just read. We are a unique profession in which we feed off of each others ideas. No, no we don’t steal ideas or plagiarize. Our imaginations are sparked by the visions words create.

Sure other things bring inspiration but nothing like the right turn of phrase. So find the perfect place to curl up with a good book. Even if you don’t have a special room for reading, make sure to give your writing some reading room. 

*This post is part of the August Fellow Writers Blog Hop (I'm only a week late tee hee) The hop takes place the 2nd Tuesday of every month. If you would like to join us for September just click HERE or on the Fellow Writer's Blog Hop tab at the top of the blog to sign up and get next months topic.