Reading is More Fun as a Writer
Reading becomes more entertaining as a writer. Being a writer adds more depth to reading as it hones your craft.
Writers are often told that to become proficient in their craft, they must read extensively. While this advice may seem self-evident, it is essential to understand why reading is not just beneficial but indispensable for writers. Reading, for a writer, is not merely a leisurely activity but a profound source of inspiration, knowledge, and improvement.
Reading opens the door to a world of ideas, emotions, and experiences that can spark a writer’s creativity. A good book can transport a writer to distant lands, introduce them to fascinating characters, and immerse them in complex narratives. These experiences can serve as a wellspring of inspiration, providing writers with a rich tapestry of thoughts and feelings to draw upon in their own work.
When writers read widely, they encounter different writing styles, genres, and voices. These encounters can inspire them to experiment with their own writing, pushing the boundaries of their creativity.
Whether it’s the lyrical prose of Virginia Woolf, the intricate plotting of Agatha Christie, or the social commentary of George Orwell, reading exposes writers to diverse approaches to storytelling and encourages them to develop their unique voices
The average reading level in the United States is at the eighth-grade level, and 27% of adults have not read a book in the past year. [1]
It really is a waste for us to be so absorbed by television, social media, and technology that we don’t meditate with the minds of other writers. Reading is a portal into other lands and experiences that can not be had through watching TV. There is such depth to reading a book as opposed to watching a TV show based on a book.
Reading increases brain connectivity and strengthens the neuronal connections of readers at any age and level, TV has the exact opposite effect.
Reading is much better before bed, as it has a calming effect, and television overstimulates us.
I personally like to read actual copies of books, rather than on an electronic device, as I am prone to distraction. Plus, few things beat the smell of an open book.
Television and paid programming along with social media spread misinformation, whereas most books are abundantly stocked with quality informative material.
It can improve brain and memory function and keep your brain operating more effectively as you age. Reading also enhances connectivity in the brain, reduces stress, promotes relaxation, improves sleep, and has the potential to decrease the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s. [2]
— Mather Hospital
Reading opens a writer up to different cultures, times, and experiences.
It encourages writers to step outside their comfort zones and gain a broader understanding of the human experience. When writers engage with literature from diverse backgrounds and viewpoints, they develop greater empathy and insight into the lives of others.
It allows us to enter the minds of others in ways that would be impossible via direct communication.
This expanded worldview can profoundly enrich a writer’s work. It helps them create more authentic and relatable characters, as well as tackle complex themes with nuance and depth. By reading about different cultures, historical periods, and social issues, writers can infuse their writing with authenticity and a sense of universality.
Exposure to well-crafted sentences, paragraphs, and chapters can elevate a writer’s understanding of how to use language effectively. By reading authors renowned for their mastery of language, such as Shakespeare or Toni Morrison, writers can learn how to wield words with precision and artistry.
Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate:
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer’s lease hath all too short a date;
Sometime too hot the eye of heaven shines,
And often is his gold complexion dimm’d;
And every fair from fair sometime declines,
By chance or nature’s changing course untrimm’d;
But thy eternal summer shall not fade,
Nor lose possession of that fair thou ow’st;
Nor shall death brag thou wander’st in his shade,
When in eternal lines to time thou grow’st:
So long as men can breathe or eyes can see,
So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.
— Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare
Reading builds a foundation of knowledge that is indispensable for writers. Whether researching for a historical novel, exploring scientific concepts for science fiction, or delving into the human psyche for character development, reading provides writers with the information they need to craft well-informed and believable stories.
Reading becomes not just entertainment and gaining new knowledge or insight. As a writer, reading takes on another more analytical aspect wherein the reading writer adds tools to their repertoire of storytelling.
Reading is not just a leisure activity for writers; it is a fundamental practice that nourishes creativity, hones writing skills, and broadens horizons. Writers who embrace reading as an integral part of their craft are better equipped to produce compelling, well-crafted, and emotionally resonant work.
I believe that reading and writing are the most nourishing forms of meditation anyone has so far found. By reading the writings of the most interesting minds in history, we meditate with our own minds and theirs as well. This to me is a miracle.
— Kurt Vonnegut
Happy Reading and Writing!
Sources: