WRITERS AND READING

/ D.L. Finn, Author

Hi SEers! Denise here to talk about something I do a lot of—reading.

I have always been impressed when I run across a beautiful passage that stays with me after I finish the book. Now, as a writer, I note things I like—or don’t. It is not only something I enjoy but a learning experience.

I know writers are limited on time, but when I encounter an author who doesn’t read, I’m puzzled. How can you improve your writing if you aren’t paying attention to what works and doesn’t? How do you stay current if you aren’t reading what is out there?

In the last couple of years, I’ve increased my reading from twenty-five to a hundred books a year. My primary focus is reading as many good indie authors as I can. I’m amazed at the creativity in this group.

What have I learned? A lot! I can spot a new writer or one who hasn’t used an editor. I pay attention to the dialog, how the story flows, and if I am surprised at the reveal. It’s a bonus if I find an author who shows action through a poetic flow.

dog in glasses reading a book

Here are some reasons every writer should be reading.

  • It helps an author strengthen their storytelling skills.
  • It’s like exercise for your brain.
  • Can improve your mood.
  • It can relax or take you away from your problems for a while.
  • You learn what does and doesn’t work in a story.
  • Helps you develop your own voice.
  • You learn about what is expected in different genres.
  • Sometimes, we all need a break from the writing side!
  • You can become the reader and let go of your inner editor.
  • Increase your vocabulary.
  • Observe how a character feels through all the senses.
  • A good story can inspire you to write.
  • You are supporting your writing family.
  • One more thing that is not writing-related, but read a book with a child if you can. It is the best gift you can give the next generation.
woman reading in nature

I may lose some sleep when I get to a good part in a book, but I’d gladly give it up to see what happens next. That is good writing and something I want to expose myself to daily, if possible. It’s like taking my vitamins for my body’s health, but a dose of reading makes my writer’s mind flourish.

When I read a well-written story, I want those polished techniques to seep into my writing. But when I come across what may be a good story lacking solid writing skills, it makes me closely inspect my bad habits. Writing is a lifetime learning process, there is always something new to learn.

“‎If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot… reading is the creative center of a writer’s life… you cannot hope to sweep someone else away by the force of your writing until it has been done to you.” — Stephen King.

How much are you able to read? How does it help you?

87 thoughts on “WRITERS AND READING”

  1. I completely agree that reading more is better for writing. As a writer and reader myself, I don’t understand how people can write without reading. Reading books by other authors helps me to understand what has to go into a good book and why a book is good. What do I like about these books? What don’t I like about these books? Why? What are the flaws that cannot be ignored, no matter how interesting the plot line? These are questions that help me to write better and put meaning into my stories.
    Beyond that, I need to read to escape. Without the escape from the stress of real life, I tend to become depressed. Books give me a chance to escape, and that helps me to function better in real life. I’ve never really understood how people can be functional without reading… The world requires all kinds of people, I guess.

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  5. Lovely blog post Finn, I for one am an Avid reader , I do read a book and now smartphone have made it easy to read and even download PDF books at the comfort of your home. Reading does exercise the brain and I enjoy it as I get to pick up on new words and reading inspires me to write entertaining blog posts about men’s fashion and style since that is what my blog is all about

    Thanks for boosting the reader inside of me 🙌📕📖📗

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  12. HI Denise, I also read a great deal. I read Indie books for their creativity and unusual and interesting topics, and I read classic books for their beautiful language and famous storylines. I never read modern contemporary books by well know authors.

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  13. I love to read, and that was instilled into me from a young age. Books, magazines, the school paper, all gave me the urge to write. The more I read, the more I am able to hone what I write. Lately I have been reading more technical documents because of work, but I do make time to read for pleasure, and I choose to read indie authors as well as main stream. I will never understand the writers that don’t read. They are missing out on a lot.

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    • We are very lucky to have the gift of reading offered to us as children. Then to have stories to share because of that is a natural outcome. We are lucky to have the variety of mainstream and indie. Yes, those who don’t read are missing out 🙂

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  14. I love the Stephen King quote- so true! I’ve always been a reader and find broadening genre choices has helped immeasurably with my creativity. Fantasy authors use visualization to create their fantastical worlds. Suspense writers count on action and the unknown to build page-turning tales, while romance wordsmiths use a gamut of emotions to give their fans a satisfying HEA.
    If writers aren’t readers, how can they reach their reader’s hearts?
    Great post, Denise.

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    • Isn’t it a great and insightful quote, Jacquie 🙂 I have done the same thing by expanding the genres I read. We do learn so much exploring new horizons.l and need to know what touches our hearts to be able to offer that in our own words. Thank you.

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  15. A perfect post and so true. How can you write if you don’t read? It’s like flying a plane and never taking lessons, or running a marathon and never practising before. I am a slow reader but I read every day.

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  19. I agree with all your sentiments, Denise. Because I’ve targeted writing novels for MG, that’s what I’m reading more than 50% of the time. The other half of the time is for reading indie authors in any genre and other interesting topics. Part of that is to stay current because I want to know what’s popular these days. In the last couple of years, I read books much differently. It used to be purely for entertainment, and now it’s about learning and paying attention to the craft of writing.

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    • Thanks, Pete 🙂 I do the same thing and read MG books too. I am much more open to new genres than I used to be. Yes, since writing reading is not only for fun but seeing what works.

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  20. Lovely post, Denise. Wow… 100 books in a year. I’m envious. Actually I’m always wishing I could read faster. I try to tell myself that I’m savoring each word, or that I retain the information better… but I know the truth is that I’m just not a quick reader.
    Looking forward to more of your stories. Hugs on the wing.

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    • Thanks, Teagan 🙂 Reading this many books a year is something new for me. There is a lot to be said for savoring a book and enjoying each word. I look forward to yours too. Hugs right back.

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  21. I’ve always read every day ever since I first learned how to read. I didn’t write reviews until a few years ago, and I’ve that thinking deeply about what a book does and how the writing does it sharpens my Editor Brain (in addition to taking me back to a type of writing I’d loved as an English major.)

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  23. I read the same way as you do, Denise. I have an eye out for great twists, beautiful language, humor, what gives me the chills, how authors handle secrets and reveals. I learn a ton about what to do… and what not to do. I think Stephen King had it right.

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    • It is amazing to be taken through great twist, humor, chilld, and beautiful language with all those secrets and reveals weaved in a good story. Yes, Stephen King knows his craft!

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  24. Like most here, I developed a love of reading at an early age. Books brought me so much pleasure, I couldn’t understand why others didn’t share my passion. I am more aware of issues in some of the books I read, but the vast majority can carry me away and lose me in the story. I do read some of the big-hitters, but I’ve also discovered some amazing Indie writers whose work is a delight to read but who don’t get the recognition they deserve. Life has thrown some time constraints in my way recently, but I think my dreamed-for spell of just reading for pleasure is able to start in earnest now hopefully from tomorrow! ♥♥

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    • I couldn’t understand why others didn’t like reading around me either. Like you, I’m much more aware of issues now when I’m reading. Yes, there are some amazing indie writers who I think deserve to be up there with the big-hitters, and are even better. I hope you get lots of good reading time in:)

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  25. I have been a voracious reader ever since I first learned to comprehend the written word. I have a mountain of physical books and well over a hundred titles on my Kindle just waiting for me to devour. As a working writer, I don’t have nearly enough time to read as I once did. But I still manage to nibble on my TBR list most days. As you’ve stated, Denise, reading should be important to writers. I read mostly indie authors these days. We are deep with talent in our community.

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    • I have the very same mountain of both physical and eBooks waiting for me, Beem. Writing and all the work that goes with that does cut into reading time, I agree. The talent and creativity in our community is amazing and some stories leave me in awe of the beautiful twist of words.

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  29. Wonderful post, Denise. I tend to read at the end of the day and enjoy every moment. I wish there were more hours in the day, but I do what I can. Thank you for the reminder of all the benefits. 😊

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    • Thank you, Gwen 🙂 I wish there were more hours in the day just for reading. I feel like I will never be able to read all the books I want to but I’m enjoying the journey in trying.

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    • I love ending the day with reading, Judi. At times I’m a fast reader others, it can take me over a week to get through one book. It evens out though and I will keep reading even when it slows down. It is very entertaining and inspiring!

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  32. I’ve always been a reader. I can still remember how excited I was when I could first decipher words. That excitement lives on! I read from 90 to 100 books a year, and like you, I tend to read a lot of indie authors. I am amazed at the creativity. Also, when an author says they don’t read, I immediately steer clear of their books. Here’s something puzzling to me. I just returned a KU book that I didn’t finish because the writing was so bad. I think the story was good, but there were so many filter words and telling that it threw me out of the story. But get this. The book has over 2,500 reviews. Amazing. We live in a crazy world, but I will always read because there’s nothing I love more than losing myself in a good book! Great post, Denise!

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    • I remember that excitement too when I could pick out my own books from the library and read to myself. So empowering! I love the creativity when writers are allowed to explore their own journeys not not be stuck in what sells or what is the norm. I should have returned a book I started where it had that amount of good reviews and I couldn’t get past the first two chapters. It read like a first draft and I wasn’t even sure the story was good, because I stopped reading. I wondered what they saw that I didn’t? I tend to stick to reviewers I trust now. Books have always gotten me through tough times and it is crazy now, where a good story is needed more than ever. Thank you, Jan 🙂

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  34. I’ll never understand why some writers don’t take time to read. I was a reader before I become a writer and it was a love of reading that led me to write. I read some almost every day. I highlight passages that stand out to me, not only because I liked them, but they also show me how I can improve certain aspects of my writing.

    Great post, Denise!

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    • I don’t understand it either. Because it seem most writers were readers before they started writing. As a writer the one thing you need is readers and becoming one is a start. It does seem beneficial to highlight those inspiring or troublesome passages for later reference. Thank you, Joan 🙂

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  35. I grew up reading for pleasure and will always do so, but being an editor (as my day job) makes it more difficult to escape into the pages. I know I’ve found a great story when I can turn off my inner editor and immerse myself in the book. When I can’t stop thinking of ways to improve what I’m reading, I know it’s a tale I’ll soon forget… if I finish it at all.

    Love the King quote, Denise. I think of it often. Great post.

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    • I can image it is impossible to shut off that editor while reading, Staci. What a gift then to finding stories where you can escape to as a reader. The more I read the more I find myself wanting to fix certain books I’m reading. Like you, I might not finish them unless they are outstanding story tellers. It’s given me a lot of insight. I think of that quote often too. Thank you 🙂

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  38. I love to read! It’s the way I wind down each evening at the end of the day. As soon as I finish one book, I start another. I read indie authors, but I also read a lot of traditionally published and NYT bestsellers. I love what you said about reading a book with a child, that “It is the best gift you can give the next generation.” My own love of reading was instilled in me at a young age and came from my parents. I am still often amazed when I encounter people who don’t read. As for writers… I agree with Stephen King!

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    • I wind down the same way, Mae 🙂 Right now I am focused on indies but, I have many best sellers I want to get to. Not enough hours in the day, but I leave December open for catch up on best sellers and holiday rereads 🙂 I believe reading a book with the child is an adventure that will stay with them. How lucky you had that gift as a child from your parents. I didn’t come from a house of readers but found the love of reading through librarians and friends. Stephen King has a lot of writing wisdom to share.

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  40. I’ve titled one tab in my writer’s database “Copy.” As I read a story daily on my iPad with the Kindle app, I highlight text that resonates. Sometimes it’s a character description, a simile or metaphor, or even snappy dialogue. Then I paste that snippet of text into the Copy tab.

    My aim is to use the text as a “pattern” — a model that will resonate with readers.

    When I’m writing and want inspiration, I open the Notes database and scan my entries in the Copy tab. Even taken out of the context of the original story, I’m inspired — using the pattern to level up my creativity.

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    • I like your idea of saving the passages that resonate with you when reading. Kindle sure does make that easy for us to do. I can see how going back and rereading it would inspire, even if out of context. Thank you for sharing that, Grant! Good idea 🙂

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    • That’s awesome you read every night and through the weekend, Harmony 🙂 I always look forward to hearing what you are reading. Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful week too.

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