I see them everywhere. I’m sure you do too.
It’s those writers who whine about how much they hate to read, how boring reading is, how it makes them sleep, and then they state something so dumb that you can’t control yourself to laugh. “But I really enjoy writing.”
I don’t think writer who hates reading can ever be a better writer. Because if you want to be a better writer, you must do 2 things above all others: read a lot and write a lot.
If you hate reading then you hate writing.
Writers need to read. A lot. Book, magazine, newspaper, reports, it doesn’t matters what you read; the only thing that matters is you are reading something.
“Writer needs to eat many books, so that they can spit out some meaningful lines.”
Nothing inspires a writer more like reading someone else’s written words.
As a writer, you’ll find yourself hitting your head, staring at blank screen when you aren’t reading. You’ll run out of thoughts, ideas and words, if you’re not holding something to read daily.
This is important step to become a better writer. But still many writers don’t give importance to reading.
“Book is best medicine for writer. Reading is best exercise for writer.”
I learn from reading
Even if you are talented at writing from the get-go, you need to master different writing styles, techniques, formats, oh my god, what are you missing by not reading? If you are talented, and you learn from the best, imagine how much greater you’ll be.
For instance, I play with words. I play a lot. I learned about this idea from one of my favorite book, On Writing Well. Try it out, create a purposeful sentence fragment, and play with commas. If readers like it, they will enjoy it. Usually I learned this by reading.
Everything Is Copied
I once learned something from a book I read. Every story, character, message, idea, everything has been slightly copied from something else. Even if you think that you are totally original. Twilight? Vampires, wolfs. Where does the idea of writing twilight come from?
It comes from our post, grandma stories. And copying from past is not bad. Every book you open going to have something copied into it. So, it means that we are free to copy from past source. It will make you look more knowledgeable, and it can really shine your writing.
Find your love of reading
Do you remember the first book you ever read, loved, perhaps one that touched your heart and makes you feel like reading it again and again? Or the first book you bought with your money to read?
Think about those books, you’ve read. Think about how they affected your life, how they helped you to grow, just think about the memories you have for all those books, and you will realize reading helps you to become what you wanted to be, helps you to write with more clarity.
I’m sure there isn’t any writer, dead or alive, who hasn’t been transformed by reading. But the question is, when was the last time you hold a book in your hand to read? Today, yesterday, a week ago, a month ago or a year ago.
I believe that writers need to be good readers before being a good writer. And I think I’m correct.
You’ve to love books, to love your writing. Simple as that.
Read like a writer
Once you made decision, you going to love books. Then make sure you read books like writer, because this is completely different reading. Instead of losing yourself into story, walk one step ahead and think how the author keeps story enthralled.
Remember writers not only read with books, they read with pen, a notebook and a book.
As you read take notes. Write the ideas you get, write any word you like; jot down everything from book that you think can help you. Try to extract as much as you can from the book.
In the end ask yourself what you learned from this book, and write your lessons down.
My Final Words
I’ve lot to read, lot to learn. I’m not a master by any means; I know I’ve to grow; I’ve to practice a ton more on my writing if I wanted to be considered good. And it all comes from reading, learning, experience, listening, from other writers and friends.
So, I’ve to read. I’ve to grow.
Reading opens up your mind. It makes you think. And it’s one of the best things that you can do with your little brain.
What you think reading is important or not? Share your opinions in comments.
Hi,
Very true that ideas spring from past experiences. In order to even implement those ideas from the past you must have memories first. A lot of this comes from reading a lot. We recollect elders telling us that ‘reading is a good habit’ and it eventually is, when you pursue a career in writing. You can write because you read once.
Amit from iTechCode
Hi Romy,
Am really 100% agree with you, these days I don’t write much but read more than writing blog posts, reading is really the key of writing, if you don’t read writing would be really very difficult for you.
A blogger should always read, research and should plan before start writing a blog post on the same on which you were reading, researching.
I do the same, and these days I have boost reading and commenting on other blogs, these are most useful tips for a newbie blogger or writer..
Thanks a lot for the post.!
Hello Romy,
You are right, It isn’t possible to be a better Blogger or writer without reading. I know a lot of people hate reading and like you mentioned in the post, it bores them and makes them sleep.
Reading is must not only for newbies, but also for pro Bloggers because that doesn’t mean you’ve become a good writer you know everything, there’s a lot more to learn.
Thanks for the awesome post Romy,
Ehsan U.
hello
I totally agree with your post i do the same thank you for the sharing me
Thanks
pulkit Gupta
No doubt that reading is most important for writer, I m also reading lot of books when I was only 10 years old. My father was always told me that my younger child, reading is most important for modern life……. Then I start reading and now I want to join with you and I want to start a blog……. please help me and give me a best way to make a great blog.
Hi Rommy
Nice Article
I agree with you, every blogger should read first then write, reading gives you knowledge, keep you up to date on things happening in blogosphere. Without reading you will lack knowledge to write quality article.
Thanks for sharing
Bryan
Yes, reading is what a writer should never leave.
Though the current era of content writing and blogging has considerably changed the way writing is done now but still reading is as important for a writer as was in the old days. Reading always gives me new ideas to write about. I read whatever there is to be read like brochures, product descriptions, ads etc. These things are very helpful for lead generation.
Very well written post to inspire encourage people like me who dislike reading to start reading newspaper n books …. After reading this post of urs … I think i should start reading … Thanx so much
Its so true. If you don’t know what is going around what will you write on. Reading and Writing go hand in hand. You cannot do one without the other.
Really inspirational post on reading. I have been writing for different sources for a long time. No one knows the importance of reading more than I do. If I don’t read regularly I feel like my mind has gone blank. No new idea, lead or topic comes into mind and I literally strive to put another word on paper. My advice to new writers is always that they first need to be devouring readers before they start their writing career.
You are so true! I agree that without reading we cant write well. Its rule to read first and then to write… Good post!
I am so glad that I love to read ever since I learned how to, and I am proud to say that in the early days when the home computer is not yet available, I always have had a dictionary with me whenever I read so I can understand words that I have never encountered yet. Many of friends do not like to read, and they always have a hard time writing up stories or reports that are needed for our studies, whereas I never had a hard time and I actually loved doing those reports as it makes me happy. Reading is very important as it opens up a world full of possibilities and being able to read (and understand) is a precious gift that no one can take away from you.
Hey,
Excellent work. I think if you can not read well and give time in reading then you should not be writing for others.