Read Like a Writer

Reading leads to better writing for many reasons, and National Book Month is the perfect time to highlight some of them! We would argue that books are both the means and the end for writers.

When we read, we engage in a shared culture with our readers. Whether we are reading what is popular on the market, discussed among our peers, or sitting at the top of our genre, we are forming connections that will enrich our writing imagination and our bond with our target audience. In other words, when we read, we grow.

But is all reading equally beneficial?

You may have heard Stephen King famously say that often “the bad books have more to teach than the good ones,” so you probably already understand that it’s not a waste of time to give a mediocre book a chance, or allow yourself to enjoy a book that isn’t going to win any awards. But there is a way to make the most of your time spent reading.

Read like a writer.

When you read with intention, keeping your eyes open for opportunities to apply what you are learning to your own writing, you may find that the novel on your night stand is as good a writing teacher as they come. This doesn’t mean that you can no longer read for pleasure, but do consider trying some of the following ideas:

• Keep a Commonplace Book or Journal. A commonplace book is aptly described in a recent NYT magazine article as being “like [keeping] a diary without the risk of annoying yourself.” It is a place to record your favorite passages or phrases as you read them. Some people include song lyrics and famous quotes in their commonplace journals, as well. The act of slowing down to transcribe turns of phrase that impact you allows you to reflect on them and even review them later. It’s a private little collection of meaningful words that can also create a habit of attention while reading that will hone your ear to beautiful and effective language.
• Hunt for Comp Titles. When you query or pitch to an agent or editor, you are often encouraged to give us “comparison titles” that communicate what your book is about and/or who will read it. You may see fellow authors using formulas like, “My book is X TITLE meets Y TITLE.” But you can get even more specific by saying something like, “My story has the stubbornly optimistic protagonist of X TITLE with the high-stakes mystery and psychological suspense of Y TITLE and Z TITLE.” This means that as you read, you can keep watch not just for books that are very similar to the story you are writing, but also characters, themes, and settings that will help others have a full picture of the world you’ve created.
• Identify the Problem. Reading like a writer means that when you encounter something that “doesn’t work” or bores you in a book, you should choose to take note and find out why. Are you losing interest because the author hasn’t helped you feel invested in the main character before the conflict begins? Does the writing feel choppy and stilted to you because the author uses very short sentences, or because they jump from scene to scene too quickly? Trust your instincts and rather than deciding that you just don’t like a book, identify the potential mistakes the author has made so that you can avoid making them yourself.
• Dissect a Book Chosen Specifically for that Purpose. You don’t have to analyze every book you read, but there can be great value in choosing to do it every once in a while. Especially if you are tackling a new kind of project or can’t figure out why you are getting negative feedback on something you are querying. We’ve written an entire blog post on the value of choosing a mentor text, which is a great way to read like a writer. Choose something that is generally regarded as well-written and do some reverse-engineering. What about that book makes it a success? What do they do that you are currently not doing in your work? How is the book tailored to its audience, and how can you reach the same people? You may find that dissecting a book gives you a model to follow that will firm up the foundation of your unique voice and perspective.

Take advantage of your resources. Reading is market research, it’s professional development, and it is good intellectual exercise. If that’s not enough motivation to pick up the next book on your TBR pile, consider the fact that there is scientific proof that people who read live longer than those who don't!

So read widely and often. It makes for better writing!

by Anjanette Barr