Summary

The website content discusses the importance of reading for writers, as emphasized by Philip Pullman and Shaunta Grimes, and introduces "The Commonplace Book Project" which encourages daily reading of poems, short stories, and essays.

Abstract

The web content delves into the significance of reading as a fundamental activity for writers, as highlighted in an interview with author Philip Pullman. Pullman suggests that while everyone has ideas, writers actively look for them, particularly through reading. The article references "The Commonplace Book Project," which is based on Ray Bradbury's advice to read widely and consistently. Shaunta Grimes, the author of the post, advocates for reading as a means to learn the craft of writing, emphasizing that successful writers are avid consumers of stories. The post also promotes Austin Kleon's newsletter and his book "Steal Like an Artist," as well as Philip Pullman's "Daemon Voices," both of which are recommended for aspiring writers. The article concludes with a poem by Julia Donaldson that celebrates the transformative power of reading.

Opinions

Philip Pullman believes that the act of reading is a search for ideas that writers can learn from and use in their own work.
Shaunta Grimes, the writer of the post, insists that reading is not just a pastime but a crucial part of a writer's job.
The article suggests that reading across various formats (books, television, movies, oral stories) is beneficial, but reading written stories is especially important for writers.
The author expresses personal admiration for Austin Kleon's work and recommends his newsletter and book "Steal Like an Artist."
There is an endorsement of Philip Pullman's book "Daemon Voices" as a valuable resource for insights into storytelling.
The poem "I Opened a Book" by Julia Donaldson is presented as a celebration of the immersive experience of reading.
The article encourages the reader to subscribe to "The Commonplace Book Project" as a tool for maintaining a consistent reading habit.

But I’m on the look out for them. You’re not.

Philip Pullman on reading. (The Commonplace Book Project)

The Commonplace Project is a daily post based on Ray Bradbury’s advice to aspiring writers: read a poem, a short story, and an essay every day for 1000 days. These posts start with a quote and go wherever the rabbit hole leads. Follow The 1000 Day MFA so you don’t miss a thing.

“When I’m reading, I’m looking for something to steal. Readers ask me all the time the traditional question ‘Where do you get your ideas from?” I reply: ‘We are all having ideas all the time. But I’m on the lookout for them. You’re not.’” — Philip Pullman

Today’s quote comes from this excellent interview with the author Philip Pullman.

A rare interview with Philip Pullman, the 'religious atheist' - Peter Jukes | Aeon Essays

The most impressive thing about meeting Philip Pullman is how unimposing he is. Renowned as a master of mythologies…

aeon.co

Which I found via Austin Kleon, who has one of the few email newsletters I really look forward to getting every week. If you’re not a subscriber, you should be.

If you want to be a writer, you have to be a reader first

It's been said a million times - it's one of the main points of my books Steal Like An Artist and Show Your Work! - and…

austinkleon.com

Kleon wrote a book called Steal Like an Artist. Again, if you haven’t read it, you should.

You know what? I’m not big on shoulds, even though I just gave you two. Maybe Austin Kleon won’t be your thing. Maybe your style is different than mine, or what inspires you is different from what inspires me.

That’s cool.

But I will state, as plainly as I can, that successful writers consume stories.

Hopefully, you’re doing that via reading. It’s how you learn to write. You see how other people do it, so you can copy it. I’m talking about the nitty-gritty here.

I can always tell when a student isn’t a big reader. They don’t know how to format dialogue.

There are other ways to take in stories. Television, movies, even talking to other people. Oral stories matter. But if the way you want to produce stories is via the written word, a huge part of your job is to read.

How cool is that? If you’re a writer, it’s your job to read.

I wrote more about writers and reading here.

Can you be a writer if you don’t like to read?

Well, you can, but . . .

medium.com

Today’s quote brought me down a rabbit hole that was more about reading than about Phillip Pullman. I’ll have to find another quote from him another day, because he’s a fascinating man.

In the meantime, Pullman published a book on writing called Daeman Voices: On Stories and Storytelling in September 2018. I just bought it and I can’t wait to read it.

Today’s Poem:

I Opened a Book by Julia Donaldson

I opened a book and in I strode. Now nobody can find me. I’ve left my chair, my house, my road, My town and my world behind me. I’m wearing the cloak, I’ve slipped on the ring, I’ve swallowed the magic potion. I’ve fought with a dragon, dined with a king And dived in a bottomless ocean. I opened a book and made some friends. I shared their tears and laughter And followed their road with its bumps and bends To the happily ever after. I finished my book and out I came. The cloak can no longer hide me. My chair and my house are just the same, But I have a book inside me.

The Commonplace Book Project

An Experiment.

medium.com

Here’s my secret weapon for sticking with whatever your thing is.

Shaunta Grimes is a writer and teacher. She is an out-of-place Nevadan living in Northwestern PA with her husband, three superstar kids, two dementia patients, a good friend, Alfred the cat, and a yellow rescue dog named Maybelline Scout. She is the author of Viral Nation and Rebel Nationand the upcoming novel The Astonishing Maybe. She is the original Ninja Writer. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.