Writers write. Otherwise, they’re just dreamers. They talk about wanting to write, but they never do. However, there’s something else writers need to do: read. Why does reading matter to a writer? Let me count the ways…
One: Reading Is Entertaining
A good story grabs you. It takes you places and works on your imagination.
Writers, like everyone else, need this. While movies can also take you places, they cut off your imagination. Everything is handed to you on a silver platter. (Or rather, a silver screen.)
Reading forces you to fill in gaps, to imagine characters’ expressions for yourself. Find a strong book, and you’ll laugh and cry. You’ll care about the characters and what happens to them. And as research published in PLoS One shows, a strong fiction story that draws readers in emotionally helps build empathy. That’s right. Read the right books, and you become a better person.
Two: Reading Is Educational
Whether you’re reading nonfiction, fantasy, or picture books, you’re learning. A few things you may learn about include:
- Other cultures
- Proper technique to throw a curveball
- Yourself
If you’re a writer, you learn something else: how to write well. As you read, you notice sentences and story structure. You grow to appreciate small turns of phrase and uses of specific language. Pay attention, and you start to figure out what doesn’t work in storytelling. Or at least what you don’t like.
With all this education, you can then approach your own writing with greater skill and precision. So, writing helps you write better!
Three: Reading Is Necessary to Stay Relevant
Fads change. Readers’ desires change. Writing does as well. If you want to write something that is relevant, you need to pay attention to the current fads.
Of course, you don’t have to follow all the fads. And if you’re trying to cash in on them by pumping out a book that fits the current style, you’ll never quite catch up.
However, it’s important to know what readers expect these days. Whether you give that to them or not, it’s good to know the current climate. The best way to get a finger on the pulse of modern literature? Reading.
So, if you’re a writer, look at how you use your time. If you’re staring at your cell phone or gorging yourself on Netflix, it’s time for a change. Grab a book and read. Your writing will improve, and your readers will thank you. Prefer to have someone ghostwrite your book for you? I’m The Southern Ghostwriter, and I’m here to help!
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