You wouldn’t expect a chef to be very good if he never tasted his food. What about a singer who never listened to music, a director who never watched movies, or a painter who never looked at art? While someone could technically be good at these things, they are far better when they experience it firsthand.
The same goes for writing.
Why Writers Need to Read More
A writer is someone who plays with language, who tells stories, who shares truths about themselves and the world around them even in works of fiction. That takes insight and creativity.
Take a look at Gaston (Beauty & the Beast). The handsome brute was not a fan of reading. Not only was he appalled by a book without pictures, he didn’t even know how to hold a book upright. It’s a shame. All Gaston knew was his narrow-minded view of the world.
The book-loving Belle, however, saw the world on a larger scale. Like her inventor father, she tended to be more knowledgeable and accepting of new ideas. Reading allowed her to use her imagination to problem solve and to be more empathetic towards others.
Who do you think is going to be a better writer? A closed-off Gaston or an open-minded Belle?
If that’s got you thinking, here are 7 more reasons why writers need to read more.
1. Reading builds up your vocabulary.
The more you read, the more exposure you have to the written word. You are more likely to come across new words or phrases that you do not use in everyday speech, words that you can incorporate into your own writing. A well-read writer has a better handle on vocabulary and the nuances of language.
2. Reading shows you what happens when writing goes right.
We’ve all read them, books so good you can’t put them down. You are drawn into the characters, the plot, and even the writing itself. It becomes clear what’s effective when it comes to voice, sentence structure, and story development. You do not want to be an all-out copycat but there’s nothing wrong with taking a lesson or two from the greats.
3. Reading shows you what happens when writing goes bad.
You can learn from bad writing just as much as you can from good writing. What pulled you out of the story? What was the author trying to do and how could he have done it better? Being aware of these pitfalls can keep you on your toes in your own work.
4. Reading teaches you about your market.
Regardless of your writing style, reading will give you a better sense of where your book fits in the marketplace. What is hot in your genre? What are readers responding to and more importantly, why? Are there new ideas you could consider for your own work? When you know your audience, you are more likely to succeed.
5. Reading inspires you.
First and foremost, reading is fun! It is a way to learn new things and explore new worlds all from the comfort of, well, anywhere. Whether it’s fact or fiction, reading makes you think. Before long, those creativity neurons will fire and you will be inspired with new and fresh ideas. Take inspiration wherever you can get it!
6. Reading reduces stress.
When I get stressed, I dig into one of the million books I have sitting on my nightstand (sorry, Marie Kondo!). There’s a good reason for that. Your heart rate and muscle tension decrease after just 6 minutes of reading. That’s right! According to neuropsychologist David Lewis, reading may be more effective for stress relief than taking a walk or listening to music. How’s that for mindfulness?
7. Reading improves focus and concentration.
You can enjoy a good story when you watch TV or go to the movies, but it’s easy to be distracted. It doesn’t take much — the ding of a text or the guy slurping soda two rows behind you. When you are reading, you are all in. Your eyes and thoughts are immersed in the story. This improves your concentration not only while you are reading but in other areas of your life as well.
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