I’ve heard many people say over and over that to be a good writer, you have to be well read. Is it true?
For me, I love to read. What writer doesn’t? But I barely have enough time to write my own book, let alone read everyone else's. So when I started writing I banned myself from reading.
Why? It distracted me from my own book in a lot of ways. Their books were so good that I couldn’t put them down to read. I got discouraged because I felt that my book will never be as good. I even found myself accidentally writing characters/things/situations into my book because I’d read them elsewhere. *not good*
So I stayed away from other books.
Then, once I finished the first draft of my manuscript, and needed a break, I finally hit the bookshelves and read like mad. And you know what?
I think I was wrong.
I think it was a mistake to avoid books all together. I learned a lot by reading published works. I found new techniques, and interesting ways to craft my story. It’s been good for me to get a better understanding of my genre, and see what the readers are reading.
Sure . . . I still got distracted from my manuscript. I just need to sort out how to stay focused on my book, while reading others.
What do you guys think? Do you read a lot while writing your manuscript? How do you stay focused?
11 comments:
Hmmmmm, I don't stay focused, lol! I write when I am struck with inspiration. I really need to work on that. Though I've wondered if it would be better to not read when trying to write to avoid accidental plagiarism I simply can't do it. I love reading too much ;D
Yes!!! I can't go a day without reading. I write during the day and I read at night before bed. I've never had a problem focusing. Reading great stuff doesn't make me feel discouraged; it actually motivates and inspires me to write so some day I'm great, too. Remember, every author you read was once where you are now!
Because of time constraints, I too have slacked in the reading department. Although during times of creative drought, I would read, and found that every time I did, my creative juices would start flowing again.
Reading is crucial!
You know, I was just thinking about that yesterday. I teach my third graders to write by using the six traits of writing. The only way I know HOW to teach them to be better writers is to read to them. When I am teaching them about Sentence Fluency or Voice, I read books to them with good Sentence Fluency or Voice. Then I watch to see if they copy what they read in their own writing. When they do, I figure I have done my job well. Eventually they figure out how to transfer what they read into their own style of writing. I even find myself noticing things that writers do in their books and how it makes their books better. I imagine it would make me a better writer to be aware of those things.
I think reading is definitely a good thing.
I'm a bookaholic so I can't stay away from books that long, but it's definitely a balance between reading and writing.
I find I get some of my best ideas for my own book while I'm reading something else. (And it's not the same stuff than what I'm reading.) I say read on. One author I met, Carol Williams,said she reads at least 2 books a week while she is writing. So I say read on. One problem is that you'll be more critical of a book than you used to be. BTW, I'm almost done with James' mss and then I'm on to yours. I'm so excited.
I'm not a writer, so I really don't think my two cents is worth a penny.
But if I were, I would try to come up with a schedule, one for reading and the other for writing. I would only deviate from it if I started suffering 'writers block'?
I'm a working mom, so I'm at work eight hours a day. When I get home, it is homework time and dinner time and give the kids some fun-mom time. I'm lucky to squeeze in anything extra. SO I just fit in what I can, when I can. I don't schedule reading or writing. However, I love both. I say "Don't stress about it." Do what you can, when you can. :-)
Thanks for visiting the blog and the comment Natasha, yeah perhaps chat roulette is best avoided unless you're feeling adventurous!
I tend to write scripts more than prose and i think you raise a tough debate! I have neglected my reading since doing the course but i do watch a lot more to make up for it! If i'm stuck on a script then going to the cinema etc often invigorates or kick-starts me again. But it's so hard not to imitate what you enjoy and to stay true to your style!
I wish I could give you my point of view, but I know nothing about writing!
I think it makes sense not to read a ton of other books, but not avoid them all together.
I have been reading like none other. 12 novels in 2 months.
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