The Importance of Reading for Writers
From kindergarten until I graduated college, I had teachers who fostered my love for writing. My English teachers in particular were pivotal in my growth and maturation as a writer. I went into college well-prepared, and I had professors who then helped me hone my craft. Not only did I learn how to write, my teachers and professors also instilled a love of learning.
My teachers created a juxtaposition in me. My extreme love of learning lead to an equal ardor for reading, which sustains my learning, and the cycle is unceasing. It’s a bit of a chicken or egg question; it’s hard to determine which came first.
Being an avid reader has increased my writing skills beyond what my mentors were able to teach me. My teachers and professors helped with the mechanics of writing, and reading has assisted me in finding my voice and personal style.
I read over thirty books a year; some books are well-written, others are poorly-written. Both kinds of books are beneficial to me as a writer. When I read a good book, I can glean the appropriate way to structure sentences to engage readers. For example, one of my favorite books is The Book Thief, and it is filled with fragments and has a unique style that keeps me captivated. Well-written books are also filled with good examples of dialogue, which is one of the hardest aspects of writing fiction.
Reading good books helps with style and syntax, and it also fosters learning the more obscure writing practices. A lot of writing rules are not discussed in the classroom and reading can elucidate how certain things should be written. Simple exposure lets me soak up and assimilate good writing practices.
Although reading terrible books can be frustrating (and I often don’t finish them), they can be valuable in their own way. Sometimes the best way to learn how to do something is to see how it done poorly. It seems a little counterintuitive, but this theory can be applied to almost anything. Athletic endeavors, appropriate behavior and manners, childrearing, writing. When I read a terrible book, I think to myself, this style is annoying and the storytelling is painful to read. I don’t want my writing to come across this way. This practice is helpful with fiction as well as nonfiction. Whereas I like The Book Thief’s style because Markus Zusak sometimes uses fragments, I do not care for a lot of fragmented sentences in nonfiction books.
I’ve read a few books be renowned authors, and they all emphasize the importance of reading for writers. Stephen King, one of the most successful authors of all time, discusses his reading habits in his book On Writing. I recommend his book for anyone pursuing writing as a career or hobby. It is part memoir and part educational. I enjoyed it and learned invaluable lessons for writing.
Anne Lamott’s book Bird by Bird is also a useful guide for writers. It is filled with pithy, humorous wisdom, which makes it an easy read. Lamott also emphasizes the importance of reading for leisure. I wish English teachers utilized more books about writing by best-selling authors. I think published authors can offer insight and wisdom beyond what a textbook can teach.
Another benefit to reading is acquiring a vast vocabulary. My vocabulary wouldn’t be near what it is today without reading books. I have a friend who reads even more than me, and her vocabulary is impressive and somewhat daunting.
For the past several years, my reading list consists of roughly 65% fiction and 35% nonfiction. Both are equally valuable, and each serves cross-functional purposes.
Good writers read, read, read. Never stop exploring different styles and incorporating what you like into your unique voice. Thirst for improvement and knowledge and you will be on your way to a productive writing career.