How More Reading Leads to Better Writing
If you want to develop better writing habits, you’ll have to do more than just write.
There are lots of things you can do to improve your writing. You can join a writing community, work on your grammar skills, and you can collect writing resources and useful writing tips and ideas. Put all these things in your writer’s toolbox and you’ll be in good shape. But it will all be for naught if you don’t ever take the time to read.
Reading is the single most important activity that leads to better writing. In fact, it’s just as crucial as actually writing. So, let’s talk about why it’s essential for writers to read as much as possible.
More Good Reading
The glasses in the picture up there aren’t mine, but I do wear glasses when I’m reading or working at the computer. My eyes are shot and the reason for that is because I’ve worn them out on books. That’s right, I read so much that I actually damaged my eyes. As a child, I used to read by poor light if necessary. I was supposed to be sleeping, but as a lifelong insomniac, I opted to read by a dull night light instead of heading off to dreamland.
A friend of mine recently told me that she believes adult writers who were childhood readers have acquired a natural talent for word craft. She went on to explain that she didn’t read much as a kid; her love of writing drove her to read more as an adult and she feels she has to work harder at writing than her writer friends who grew up with their noses buried in books. Makes sense to me, but then again, I was one of those reading kids.
The human brain is like a sponge. We soak up everything that we observe and experience throughout our lives, and each thing we are exposed to becomes part of the very fiber of our beings. What we read is no exception. You may not be able to recite the Mother Goose nursery rhymes you read as a child, but they’re still somewhere in that head of yours. When a little voice whispers jack be nimble, jack be quick, there’s a good chance you’ll recall that jack jumped over a candlestick. It’s embedded in your brain.
Better Writing
By reading a lot, you will develop a familiarity with language. Your vocabulary will expand and turns of phrase will wedge themselves into your memory. Even grammar sinks in. Forget memorizing all the rules, just read writers who are grammatically adept. Eventually, it all will become part of your mental makeup.
If you know exactly what kind of writer you want to be, you’re in luck. Your best bet is to read a lot within your favorite genre. Find authors that resonate with your sensibility and read all their books. Notice that each writer has a very distinct voice, one that makes their work recognizable. If you read enough of one author’s work, you’ll probably be able to pick them out of a quotation lineup (I had to take that test in college).
At the same time, you don’t want to rope yourself off from experiencing a wide range of styles. You might like high literature and want to pen the next Pulitzer-Prize-winning work of fiction. You should read the classics, of course, but don’t completely avoid the bestsellers. There’s a mentality among some writers that you should only read that which you want to write. It’s hogwash. Reading outside your chosen area of specialty will diversify and expand your skills, and you’ll be equipped to bring new techniques and methods into your craft. If you so choose, you’ll even be able to walk, or perhaps cross, genre lines.
Read and Write, Read and Write, Repeat
I think all writers benefit from reading (and writing) poetry. It is one sure way to develop a killer vocabulary, the ability to formulate vivid imagery, and infuse other types of writing with creativity. I know, some writers don’t love poetry, but I have to pitch my passion, right?
Reading also makes for invigorating conversation. You can join a book club or visit Booking Through Thursday, a website where you share your reading adventures with other passionate readers.
Do you ever read for the sole purpose of improving your writing? I usually just poke around for reading material that interests me. I try to read a little bit of everything from fiction to nonfiction to poetry to journalistic pieces. I like to open my mind and let it all in.
What are you reading these days?
Do you have any writing tips to share for better writing? Any stories to tell about how reading has helped you improve as a writer? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April, 2008 but has been updated with new information and insights, and therefore republished for your reading pleasure. Keep on reading!
Geez… What am I reading right now?
I have books all over the place. In the morning with my coffee, I have a book-bag that sits next to my chair. I randomly open a well-worn page from any one of my favorite motivational writers, Zig Zigler, Jim Rohn, any of of six Stephen Covey books,or M. Scott Peck’s stuff,( Just to name a few) The Right to Write,and a few other books by Julia Cameran, The Simple Abundance book, ( Sarah Ban Breathnach) and the Bible. I also have a collection of books that are more celtic and some based on Native American spiritual beliefs.
(I love “The Four-Fold Way, by Angeles Areeien, PH,D.)
Also, my collection of classic children’s liturature takes up one whole bookshelf… I do agree with a Wrinkle in Time, I also loved the complete Wizard of Oz collection and all of the Mary Poppins books.
Then we get to my novels…ok, we aren’t going there. Well, maybe just one, I am almost finished with Going Postal,by Terry Prachett. It is very creative and a hoot. I am having so much fun with it.
Now, aren’t you sorry you asked? I am a book- aholic. Once you get me going, it’s so hard to stop. Every room of our house is taken over with books.I started reading at four and haven’t stopped since.
Surprisingly, I’ve only got two books going at the moment. “Charlie Wilson’s War,” and “The Last Camel Died at Noon” (perhaps one of the best book titles ever) as I work my way through the Amelia Peabody series.
As to the rest, I agree whole-heartedly. Reading is absolutely the first and most important step to writing–especially in those “pre-writing” childhood years. Because, really, I don’t think anybody would be remotely interested in the truly bad stories I tried to write when I was 9, but I was reading constantly. (Although, I never did the reading in bed with a flashlight thing.)
I was watching “You’ve Got Mail” the other night and one of the lines was, “When you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity in a way that no other reading in your whole life does.”
Thank God.
@Wendi Kelly, No, I’m not sorry I asked! I love to hear about what other people are reading. I too have an entire shelf of classic children’s lit. Actually that shelf is overflowing and ready to become two shelves
I’ve almost picked up “The Four-Fold Way” several times but I always end up choosing something else. I guess I’ll have to get it next time I’m at the bookstore. For inspiration, I love Celestine Prophecy and Richard Bach’s work.
I’m a bookaholic too. I just haven’t had much time for reading since I started freelancing. Hopefully that will change soon. This month I’m reading and flipping through several of my poetry books, which is some of my favorite stuff!
@Deb (Punctuality), I haven’t heard of Amanda Peabody so I’ll have to look her up on Amazon. I don’t remember that quote from “You’ve Got Mail,” but I couldn’t agree more!
I wasn’t a big reader back in my young days. I didn’t like to spend to much time on the same thing. I like diversity and have a really short attention span. I did love watching TV though. That’s a bit fiction right. I used to be able to place myself in front of the tele all day long, not anymore because I feel as if I know every plot twist in history and I’m no longer surprised or excited by the most new TV series.
My three last books I read where all three in Spanish -it’s for one of my uni courses. I like reading in Spanish. It has a certain je-ne-sais-quoi. If I ever get proficient enough in Spanish, I might attempt to write something in the language. But for now I’m sticking with English.
@Manictastic, I’ve never been much of a TV watcher. There are a few shows that have hooked me over the years. Right now, I’m loving Without a Trace. Oh, and American Idol. Yes, I’m an Idol fan. Laugh if you want. I definitely think TV (and movies) can be a great source of inspiration. I do find that sometimes when I’m trying to write a piece or a story, I see it in my head like a film rather than in words like a book.
I took French for many years but I am not at all fluent. I can read it more than I can understand it when spoken. Still, I don’t think I could get through a whole book in French, so I admire you’re being able to read in two languages. I think that’s awesome. Wish I could do that.
It’s true–reading a lot will improve your writing.
I think most prolific writers are also prolific readers.
I credit a voracious appetite for reading as the most important aspect to my development as a writer.
Writers generally have a natural urge to read, although some need to be reminded of how helpful it is–and enjoyable as well.
@Jessie, I credit my reading for my development as a writer too! There are so many benefits to reading, it would be impossible to list them all, though maybe I should write a post about that one of these days
More reading DEFINIELY leads to better writing. In fact, I think it’s one of the most important things you can do if you want to become a better writer. I always feel really inspired to write after reading a great book. Speaking of books, are you on Goodreads? I just signed up as Positively Present!
I’ve never heard of Goodreads. I shall go Google it now!
Melissa, I was writing so fast and furious when I first started my cyber highway blog that I wasn’t taking time to read. I am positive that the success I’ve had so far is because I realized it was crucial that I slow down and read–and not just write, write, write.
I read mostly blog posts these days but I also try to squeeze in some newspaper and magazine reading. And sometimes I even pick up a novel! (I need to do that again soon.)
As for the childhood reader, I was one of them as well. My goodness, I preferred a book over a movie any day! My parents took me to the library, bought me books, and I was fortunate that they also signed me up for book clubs so I received new books in the mail all the time.
Those were good days, weren’t they? Just being a kid snuggled up with a good book–and no worries! *sigh*
Nice post, Melissa. Sorry about your eyes, though! I found some really, really good eye drops and now they’ve been discontinued. These are natural and SO helpful for dry, tired, itchy, bloodshot eyes. And the bonus? I haven’t worn my glasses in like almost 2 years, I think. Seriously!
If you want more info, I can share with you in an e-mail. I didn’t want to sound like a commercial here in the comments.
Blessings,
Michele
Hi Michele, I have read and heard that flaxseed can help with dry eyes too, so maybe I’ll try that (eventually). Yes, curling up with a good book as a kid was the best! I still love to do that, but I have to admit, it’s just not the same. I think it has something to do with feeling free — no obligations, no responsibilities, and becoming totally lost in the story. Ah, those were the days!
Let me first say, I love this website. I love to hear about others sharing in my love of reading and kindred spirits that have been obsessed with books since we learned how to read.
Currently, I’m reading “Writing Down the Bones” by Natalie Goldberg and “The Listeners” by Christopher Pike. I usually have 2 or 3 books going at a time. A non-fiction, adult fiction, and young reader or young adult fiction book.
I would like to believe that reading obsessively has helped my writing. At the very least, it’s given me a diverse vocabulary.
Although, I find it extremely difficult to remain in my favorite genre when choosing what to read. I love reading anything that even remotely strikes my interest. To help with that, I give a book 40-50 pages to grab my interest further and then if I can’t get into it…I set it aside. It was a sad day when I realized I could not read all the books I want in my lifetime.
Therefore, I plan to live forever so I can read everything I want that’s currently written and everything that is still being brought to life by fellow authors.
Thanks so much for your kind words, Hannah. Writing Down the Bones is one of the best books for writers that I have ever read. I’m certain that your obsessive reading has helped with your writing. How could it not? I need to start setting books aside if they can’t hold me after 50 pages. I tend to just stop reading altogether, and that’s no good! If only there was a way for all of us passionate readers to find a way to live forever, just so we can soak up every single page of delightful literature! Ah, wouldn’t that be wonderful? Hehee.
I have always loved to read. While I did not have control of it I did have a library card in my name when I was six.
Currently I am reading and working through Madson’s “Improv Wisdom.” I recently read Julia Child’s “My Life in France” instead of watching the movie Julia and Julie. I was so taken with her passion for food and I loved her voice.
I also read Burnett’s “A little Princess.” I didn’t like it as well as “The Secret Garden” but it was still charming.
The hardest fiction book was Webb’s “Precious Bane” which was written in an English dialect I was unfamiliar with; it was not Yorkshire. And it was full of customs I couldn’t figure out as well. It does give one an entry into a world like you’ve never known and it used to actually exist.
I don’t do much TV in general and none recently. But I see some authors I want to check out in the comments.
Now I’m trying to remember if I ever read A Little Princess. I do know I saw the movie with Shirley Temple several times when I was a kid, but I just can’t remember if I read it. I do know that I read The Secret Garden multiple times. I’m not familiar with most of the others that you’ve mentioned, though I would be interested in Julia Child’s book. Have you read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert? It’s about personal transformation through eating, praying, and loving. Heh.
yes u are right. reading and more reading are the stock-in-trade for anyone wanting to im-prove their writing ability. and what is writing but a sort of righting ability. if writers are not going to stick their necks out for the downtrodden, dispossessed and destitute then who else is for christ’s sake? but there is a point and that is that if all you ever do is read then how are u going to find the time to write (or think)? the point of no return at which supersaturation takes place is an ideal juncture to close the dog-eared book and open a fresh sheet of bond paper to write down your experiences on. journalling will expand on your reading. reading is in a way just re-add-ing. but writing is the writ u need to supplement that passivity with activity.
I personally think everyone (even non-writers) should stick their necks out for the downtrodden, dispossessed, and destitute. However, most people are busy trying keep their own heads above water (some farther above the water than others). Of course it’s true that if all you do is read, you won’t have time to write. On the other hand, if all you do is write, you won’t have time to read. I believe that reading is the single best way to acquire strong writing skills, like proper grammar (capitalization, for example) and punctuation (hyphens and dashes). Far too many young or new writers want to forgo reading altogether and come up with endless excuses for why they should write all day and ignore reading, but reading is a necessary part of the writing process. It’s rather simple: the more you read, the better your writing will be.