Writing Tip: Read Like a Writer

This one might sound a little tricky, but with just a bit of practice you'll get it. We all read for enjoyment, and we love the way a writer pulls us into a story. But have you ever really thought about how the writer did that? Here's what it's all about...

Yes, it's easy to get comfortable in your chair and get lost while reading a great story. The writer has created a wonderful world, full of great characters and magical settings, and you become immersed in it.

One of the things that will help you to become a better writer is to read constantly; read the best authors you can find, and devour all of their work. But, it's also important that you look at their writing a little differently than you did before.

You used to just read the stories without thinking about what went into them. Now, in order to improve your own writing, pay attention to the steps that the authors went through while they crafted their tales. Observe how they develop their characters; how do they let you know what events might have shaped the characters' lives? Have they written something to make you feel close to the character, or to make you not like a particular character? What was it?

What about the setting? In the archive of The Big Brain Club you'll find posts about setting a scene, and how you should use all of your senses. Well, when you're reading a good book, keep your eyes open for how the author paints a mental picture of his scenes. For example, when you read the book Holes by Louis Sachar, can you almost feel the waves of heat that rise from the ground, feel the dirt under your feet, the sweat pouring down your face? Can you picture the characters almost breaking their backs as they plunge their heavy shovels into the hard-packed earth?

Reading can be a lot of fun, but when you read like a writer, it becomes even more fun. You begin to learn how to truly put words together that open up your characters and their surroundings to your readers, how you allow them to actually see what's going on in their own mind. I would recommend that you take your favorite book of all time, and read it again...only this time, watch how the author creates that joy in you. It will help you to do the exact same thing the next time you sit down to write.

Comments

[maleko]

Dom, I have to say you always give me inspiring antedotes er anecdotes, gosh my spelling/ at any rate, thank you for all you do for teachers and their students. Your gift of time to them is more precious than anything else... just know you have a large fan base, count me in as one of many...

(Dom replies: Thank you so much! And watch for a few changes in the Big Brain Club...including a new look...coming soon. Thanks again.)