Improve Your Writing: Read a Lot

photo credit: lexdenn

Last month I presented five key ways to improve your writing. We’ve already discussed doing it daily, and the importance of proofreading and editing. Now let’s talk about why it’s so important for writers to read as much as possible.

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 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 other 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 in that head of yours somewhere. 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.

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 chosen 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 tricks and methodologies into your craft. If you so choose, you’ll even be able to walk, or perhaps cross, genre lines.

That’s why I think all writers will 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?

Do you ever read for the sole purpose of improving your writing? I don’t. I just poke around for reading material that interests me. I’ve already shared a few of my favorite books with you. 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?

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Five Ways to Help Fight Illiteracy

photo credit: jinglejammer

Illiteracy is a serious planet-wide problem. The only way that we, as a global community, can fight illiteracy is to band together and tackle it head-on. It all starts with one person. One person who has the passion, the empathy, and the desire to help. That person could be you. It’s not hard. Here are five things you can do to help fight illiteracy.

1. Be an advocate

Learn about illiteracy and then spread the word. Let others know that it’s a real problem, one that contributes to crime and poverty and one that continues to oppress people. Share news and information, and always encourage reading.

2. Write about it on your blog

If you have a blog or any other platform, you can use it to help inform the public. Writing about illiteracy is another way to be an advocate and spread the word. Encourage people to pitch in and help.

3. Donate to the cause

Organizations like Reading is Fundamental could really use your help. If you can, donate money. Or, donate your books. You can also bring books to your local library, or almost any other donation center.

4. Volunteer

Time is precious, but that’s all some of us have to give. Imagine the joy of teaching a child letters and words. Imagine the wonder you could witness teaching an adult to read. Contact your local library to find out about reading programs in your area.

5. Give the gift of books

A book is a wonderful gift to give and to receive. When you give a book as a gift, you’re giving so much more — the joys of storytelling and literature. Here’s a tip though: make sure your book gift is at the proper reading level for the person you’ll be giving it to, and also be sure you choose something of interest to that person.

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Reading Break

For Sci-Fi Lovers

As I mentioned in this month’s introductory post, I’ll be featuring a different book in the sidebar each week throughout the month of March. Last week, I featured Snow Crash, an off-the-wall science fiction cyberpunk novel by Neal Stephenson, which I’m still reading (confession: I’ve only just finished the first chapter). If you’ve read it, leave a comment and tell me what you thought. I’d wanted to read Snow Crash for about three years, since a former coworker recommended it back when I had a day job. Apparently it’s a cornerstone for lovers of sci-f. I’ll let you know what I think when I finish it.

Red Dragon

Now, I’m featuring Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. I recently read this book and it had me scared out of my wits. But what else would you expect from the writer who brought us The Silence of the Lambs, the scariest movie ever made? In this book, you get to meet Hannibal Lecter, right along with the author. The opening pages are riveting, especially from a writer’s perspective, and the rest of the book… well you’ll be on the edge of your seat. I don’t usually go for anything that rates high in fear factor because my imagination tends to run wild and I end up thinking there are knife-wielding monsters around every corner. So, I finished Red Dragon as quickly as possible so I could get on with life in an anxiety-free manner. I’d like to add that not only is the story riveting, the writing is absolutely exquisite, so do check it out.

And if You’re Not Into Sci-Fi or Horrific Suspense

Don’t worry, next week I’ll step away from such things and bring you a book that’s a little more grounded in reality. In the meantime, you might want to take a reading break and check out some past posts about reading:

Reader’s Delight: This post covers a few of my all time favorite books. Truth be told, I could write a hundred posts featuring my favorite novels.

A Reader First: This was one of the very first posts on Writing Forward. It talks about my experiences as a young reader.

My Multimedia Life: This is a new blog that I recently launched. I love writing about writing, but sometimes I want to write about other things, like losing my job when the company I was working for went under, or reasons for being an animal welfare advocate, why it’s important to be kind, and my dirty little secret: American Idol addiction (ssh, don’t tell anyone!).

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