Reading to Write

When it comes to writing, you can take classes, watch inspirational videos, talk with other writers, and post in Facebook groups and discussion boards to develop your craft and community. Still, there’s one thing that will truly enhance your writing: Reading.

It might seem silly, or like the most obvious idea to some, so let’s break down why reading is important for writing!

New Ideas

Reading new books, or rereading your favorites, can greatly benefit the writing process. This is due to new ideas that can stem from interacting with books! Have you ever read something and thought “I could do that” or “I wish this happened instead”? As a writer, you can!

These ideas come from reading all sorts of books. The important thing to remember is that you want to read books that are both similar to yours and different. Similar books can inspire you and help craft the narrative path in your story. In the same way, different books can give you a clear perspective and a fresh take on situations in your books.

For example, I write speculative fiction in the realm of fantasy. It comes as no surprise that most of the books on my shelves are fantasy novels. That being said, I also have several literary-fiction novels and short-story collections, as well as non-fiction books, to read through. Each has immense value in building your style as a writer.

Seeing What Works (And What Doesn’t)

There may be an idea that you like in your book that just doesn’t work out how you’d hope. Maybe you want to have a slow-burn romance–but you’re moving too quickly (or you’re like me where your readers won’t even know there’s a fire starting). You can find what works–and what doesn’t–by reading the work of other authors.

You can ask for recommendations for well-written scenes to reference, or you can go back to your favorite books that inspired you. For example, I often find myself returning to Throne of Glass for fight scenes, or Beast: A Tale of Love and Revenge for references to writing with rage. When it comes to magic duels, A Darker Shade of Magic is a fresh take to reference for me.

All of these references you’ve accumulated come into play: what inspired you, and what made you wish things were different? Having read these materials, you can write your own path forward!

Taking A Break

Burnout is real–especially for writers. It’s not the same as writer’s block, where you’re stuck in a rut and trying to find your way to the next sentence. Burnout arrives when you’re tired, overworked, or exhausted with your manuscript and you cannot put another ounce of effort in it. That’s where reading comes in handy!

Picking up a novel can help you unwind, relax, and remember why you picked up writing in the first place. It’s a breath of fresh air after the stuffiness that sometimes comes with long writing sessions. It’s also a chance to indulge in self-care.

Grab a cozy blanket, put on some ambiance, light a candle–whatever you need to do to settle in and enjoy a few moments of uninterrupted peace. If you don’t have a space for that, you can make do with what you have, so long as you are comfortable and focused on reading. It’s a great way to recharge and remind yourself of why you started writing in the first place.

Putting It All Together

In order to write, you have to read! It’s a great way to find new ideas, see what works or what doesn’t, and take a break from writing. This helps create a flourishing atmosphere that will refresh you before you write again. The best way to stay motivated is to stay inspired!