Reading Like A Writer

Writer's Relief Blog :

John O’Hara said it best: “Becoming the reader is the essence of becoming a writer.” It’s no secret that reading a lot can supplement your writing—exposing yourself to different styles and subjects expands your scope of what is possible and what you can achieve. Learning to read like a writer is key to improving your craft (and getting publishing contracts!).

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Comments

[Indigo1941]

08:39 AM on 04/19/2011

Characters. Plot. Style. Insight. All that and don't forget Setting.

Whether set in the Past, in the Tomorrow, or in the Today, and on fog-bound Alcatraz or sunny South Beach, setting makes a story yummy! Can you imagine a car chase in Terre Haute, Indiana? It won't work because there's railroad tracks and trains all over town. You put in Paris and you run your tiny foreign model car up and down stone staircases and ka-bam! Built-in adventure! And when the chase ends, your characters can stop for a glass of wine and a nice croissant avec brie. But in Terre Haute . . . bwa-ha-ha-ha!

Setting! It sells books!

[donnyraindog]

11:15 PM on 04/17/2011

I think the obverse ,are you writting like a reader would make a more valuable post.

[mssreader]

07:17 PM on 04/16/2011

I do because I read manuscripts for a literary agent thus I find myself reading books with the two pages of my report to do. I do find that it makes me more critical of the books I read plus I'm writing a book so in that way it helps.

Francine Prose wrote a great book: Reading Like a Writer A guide For People Who Love Books And For Those Who Want To Write Then. It' a great book. See page 87 where she talks about Wuthering Heights and you'll never think of that great book the same way again.

[Cael]

03:55 PM on 04/15/2011

I tend to do this while I am reading. I am 270 pages into my first book. I find while I am reading I start taking what I am reading then start thinking about what to write in my book. Before long, 10 pages have turned and I have no idea what I read because I was so focuses on a new plot idea in my book.

[jpvt]

02:15 PM on 04/16/2011

You'd better start writing that book soon or your life as a reader will be over.

[Bill Dodds]

06:44 PM on 04/18/2011

That's a good sign. Let your mind wander where it wants to wander when it wants to wander. And jot down what you come up with. That, and a regular daily word count, will get you to the end of your first book and on to many more.