Being a good writer means you are a good reader. You have to be able to read to write. Reading opens doors, horizons and develops the mind.
Don’t feel bad if you’ve not picked up a book or novel in the last few month, knowledge-packed blog posts make excellent reads too! The idea is to read something of quality everyday. And thanks to the E-readers, reading o the go has never been so easy. I can think of a book, and start reading it in few seconds if I like.
Reading does a lot to improve our writing, here are 4 significant ways it does that –
- Reading enhances your imagination
Reading challenges you to think about different possibilities. It pushes you to begin to explore taking your writing to amazing depths and perspectives.
- Reading gives you the facts upon which to base your writing
No matter what you write you need to lay a good foundation and research is the best place to start. Imagine writing a blog post. Reading exposes you to facts and information that will come in handy in your writing.
The facts build your references and will give you instances or real situations to mention in your writing. This makes your writing richer as it will become more informative, resourceful and useful to your readers.
- Reading opens you to different world views and perspectives
Whatever you write is always aimed at engaging your audience. To engage your audience you need to be able to understand them – what they like, what they believe in, what their problems are and how they have been dealing with their problems. This will help you write pieces that are of interest to your readers. Reading exposes you to other people’s way of thinking and when you reflect that in your writing, it helps you form a stronger connection with your audience.
- Reading helps you learn new words, phrases and modes of expression.
Every time you read something new you are bound to learn new words and meanings. These words will help improve your vocabulary and make your writing richer.
New words are not the only things you learn. You also learn how to use them effectively in your writing. Your writing becomes clearer and stronger. It helps you learn how to drive the message home. Although it will take a lot of practice, it is worth the time spent learning how to use those words and phrases.
Do you enjoy reading? I love reading and I am currently reading She Means Business by Carrie Green on my Amazon Kindle, which I am learning a lot from.
What are you reading at the moment?
I am reading Stark by Ben Elton, I can’t believe I haven’t read it before! Reading is essential for expanding your mind and I love that my kids love books too 🙂
Yes it is Laura.
A great and wonderful post. I love reading nothing makes me happier and as you said to be able write you have to read x
Yea x
Reading is one of my favourite past times, as is writing! 🙂
Me too Becca.
Excellent post. The great Stephen King said “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” Who are we to disagree with that. I have been reading a lot more in the past couple of years and I feel my writing has improved because of it. Right now I’m reading “The Long Goodbye” by Raymond Chandler in paperback and rereading “Dead Man’s Switch” by Tammy Kaelher on my tablet.
Great. The books sound amazing.
Really great post, I love to read, just wish I had more time to do it 🙂
Thanks Jemma.
I totally agree with you – I love reading, I’m so passionate about encouraging it in my kids too!
Yea me too. My kids love reading too!
I read quite a lot. I’m a Harlequin Historical fanatic to say it mildly! haha
I used to have a subscription years ago where I got two books a month, now I have started finding my fav books that I have upstairs in Norwegian – in English on Kolbo etc. 😀
Oh good Therese.
I couldn’t agree more. I read somewhere that “good writers are avid readers”.
Yea that is true.
I’m reading Daughter’s of the Dragon by William Andrews and its a tough read. But I’ll plough through it. I do enjoy reading when I get the time x
Sounds nice.
I am a complete Bibliophile!! I have a paperback book, a separate kindle book and yet another book on my smartphone on the go at the moment. I read every spare minute I can get and love my books x
Me too!
I love both reading and writing. At the moment I’m reading some books about coding and technology for educational purposes but the last fiction book I finished was The Butterfly Garden
Oh good Sarah.
I love reading. I just finished reading The Ashes of London and have just started reading Nocturnal Animals.
Oh nice Emma. Happy reading.
Reading is what got me into writing, I loved how you could play with words and create spiraling narratives that had no limitations x
I agree Ana xx
I have loved reading for as long as I can remember and will sit and read every chance I get! I totally agree that it makes you a better writer
Yea x
I love this and I couldn’t agree more! I have read my entire life, sometimes even a book a day pre kids! Reading makes you a better writer, I completely agree with that!
Yea x
As a writer, you’ll find yourself hitting plateaus and roadblocks when you aren’t reading.
Yes true.
I’m a total bookaholic and love reading. I generally read paperbacks but love being able to download quickly on the kindle too.
Oh nice.
I have always wanted to know the story after Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett’s marriage, so I came up on the books by Sharon Lanthan called Loving Mr Darcy, journey’s beyond Pemberley. I am currently reading that and I am loving they way she has written it.
Oh nice Gansu.
Reblogged this on WILDsound Writing and Film Festival Review.
I love it when I read something and pick up on an aspect that I want to include in my novel. I’ve started reading more of Markus Zusak (author of The Book Thief) because his voice is just so unique. Thanks for the post!!
Thanks for reading..
Awesome post! It resonates so much with my life-long career as a reader/writer. I have recently been on a HUGE Donna Tartt Reading spree and now I that I am reading The Hours from Michael Cunningham, even though I have read such amazing reviews on the book, coming from the Donna Tartt world, I just can’t seem to find the same vivacity and pleasure as I did reading The Goldfinch or The Secret History.
Glad you like the post. Thanks for reading.
Couldn’t agree with this post more! Since reading books by Haruki Murakami my mind has opened up as to what writing can be! Inspiration is everywhere 🙂
Yes it is..
A very positive and encouraging post. Thank you. I am nearly halfway through 4321 by Paul Auster.
Oh nice. Thanks for stopping by.
Very true! I am an avid reader and passionate writer thanks to my father a science fiction author for 30 plus years. I never leave the house without a book. You never know when you may get stranded or have to wait and wish you had a book. Following in my dad’s footsteps I just signed a contract this week to have my first book published! super excited!
Oh wow. Congrats!
Thank you!
Great piece! While I know of a couple people who don’t (or can’t) read and surprisingly made great writers down the road, I definitely agree reading doesn’t hurt at all. It helps to, as you put it, enhance your imagination and open opportunities for active thought. Personally when I read a good novel and get into it, I visualize the events happening in my head, which sometimes can help to make my writing that much more vivid.
Thanks for sharing! Definitely agree. Just followed and looking forward to more of your pieces. 🙂
I visualise what I read too. Thanks Angie.
I’d be honoured if you’d check this out.
Oh cool..
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