Benefits of Reading

Happy Monday! Hope you are doing well. It's been busier than usual here, so I apologize if this post is a bit scattered. Have been thinking about this topic, so thought I'd offer a few thoughts upon which to reflect.

Thanks so much for coming by to visit. It's always good to see you! :)


Why should writers read? Benefits include mental stimulation, vocabulary building, and expanding our knowledge and worldview. It also helps improve grammar and critical thinking skills, focus and memory, reduces stress,  and has entertainment value. Reading helps us sample genres and illustrates good writing techniques, from plots and pacing to article elements and more.

In his post Why Writers Need to Read if They Want to Be Good, Jeff Goins says, 

"Nothing inspires a writer like reading someone else’s words."

Do you agree? I find great inspiration this way, and often have layers of ideas sprouting as I read. Words can inspire and keep us writers going. 

If I don't know the author of a book, post, or article, I focus more on the words versus who is saying it. This isn't a bad thing; we won't always have the privilege of meeting that author. (And the words of course, are often the main reason we're reading it anyway.) As a writer though, I know that reading isn't just about absorbing words. It's about a writer sharing, informing, and challenging. There are two sides to this, and being a reader helps being a writer. Make sense?

Jeff Goins elaborates further, saying we're in danger of running out of words if we don't read. This is an interesting point. I don't want to be the writer who runs out of words, do you? Reading makes our words richer, enhancing the value of our work. 

A Quick Announcement

The Coffeehouse for Writers has a new site! Classes begin in early May and topics include blogging, creating characters, freelancing, writing for the Chicken Soup series, boot camp for writers, and more. Instructors are Jennifer Brown Banks, Linda O'Connell, Victoria Grossack, Serena Wadhwa, Diana Bocco, and me (I'm in charge of boot camp!). Check out the offerings and details here.

Why do you read? Do you agree with Jeff Goins? What's on your spring reading list?

Happy writing,
Karen


Photo credit; Free Images

Man's Best Friend?

"Outside of a dog, a man’s best friend is a book. 

Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read."

Groucho Marx

 This quote always makes me smile. 



I'm sharing tight writing tips at Susan J. Reinhardt's blog.


If you have a minute, stop by and see us!

Are dogs or books your best friend? 


Happy reading and writing,

Karen  :)


 Photo credit: David Lange

Do You Read?

Have you heard the story where a newbie writer told a veteran writer that they did not have the time to read books? The newbie didn't think reading was necessary for a successful writing career. The veteran disagreed, and pointed out how reading is key to expanding one's world.

What do you think? Do you think reading is an essential tool for writers?

I believe it offers exposure to genres, styles, and writing - good and bad. Reading provides a better scope and grasp of language, grammar, and usage. It offers varying perspectives, challenges us to think, and stretches the imagination. Another great perk is that it's an avenue to better communication, not just in written form, but verbal too.

Over the years I've noticed a difference reflected among my writing students who read and those who do not. No criticism intended; it's simply an observation. I encourage them all to read, telling them it is an easy way to help their writing and imagination grow.  

In short, I think we need to read to be effective writers. We shouldn't limit ourselves to favorite genres either. It's important to explore a variety, fiction and non, long and short, in books, periodicals, and online.

Consider Stephen King's words on the topic:

"...Can I be blunt on this subject? If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”

Our time to read may be limited, but the benefits are worth the effort.

For more insight on the correlation between reading and writing, check out Christian Fahey's thoughts on The Upside in this post, Reading and Its Importance for Writers.

What benefits do you gain from reading? What's on your to be read pile?

Happy weekend,

Karen
 

Image credit: Stock Exchange


 

How Do You Read?

How do you read a book?

Do you start at the beginning?

Dive into the middle?

Sneak to the back and check out the last page?

Read several chapters and then hop to the ending?

If I'm reading non fiction, I check the table of contents and skip around, depending on what catches my interest, or how I want to process the info.

Fiction is another story (no pun intended!). I am a strong supporter of the start at the beginning idea. After all, the author is taking the reader on a journey, are they not? There are adventures to savor on the way. I admit, though, occasionally I flip ahead or take a peek at the end.

Why?

1) The story is dragging and I want to see if it gets better. If not, I may abandon the book.

2) There are lengthy portions of dialogue or description that don't captivate me.

3) I absolutely, positively, cannot wait to see if a character survives (or is found, is arrested, gets married, or paints a giant mural on the side of the local bank, etc.:) Okay, so this doesn't happen often. I don't read about mural painting main characters much either, for that matter.

The other day, I did jump ahead in an historical fiction I'm reading. Just to make sure that the MC was okay, you know. So I thought it amusing when I spotted this question yesterday at Dear Editor. A frustrated writer asks for feedback on the RIGHT Way To Read a Novel,

I'm curious. How do you read a book? Is there one right way? What do you think?

Have a great weekend,
Karen



Photo credit: Stock Exchange

Groucho's Reading Advice

Outside of a dog, a man’s best friend is a book. 

Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read. 

Groucho Marx

Do you agree? :)

What are you reading this weekend? 

Have a good one!

Karen 

 Photo credit: Stock Exchange