Don't you just hate being told what to do? I hate it. Absolutely hate it. However, I am going to tell you if you want to be a writer, you need to read.
I know. I know. Who has time to read, right? We are busy with life, writing all day, getting caught up on our favorite television shows, cleaning seven litter boxes every morning, and washing our socks. Who has time to read?
But if you are a writer, you need to be a reader too.
Three Reasons Why Writers Need To Be Readers
If you hate being told what to do, maybe you need some convincing before you'll put down your pen and pick up a book. Stephen King, the king of writing, has this to say about why reading is so important:
If you don't have time to read, you don't have time (or the tools) to write. . . . Reading is the creative center of a writer's life. —Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
But maybe you would like more specific reasons why reading is so essential. There are so many it is hard to pick just a few. But today I will share three reasons I have found to be most significant in my own writing.
Perhaps by the end, you will be inspired to pick up a book and spend the rest of your day lost in a story.
1. Reading Helps You Learn to Use Language Well
As a writer you want to make sure your reader understands what you want to say. When you read, you will learn to recognize well-written stories, and stories where writers struggle to communicate what they see in their mind.
This is important at the most basic level of language usage. Stephen Koch says this in The Modern Library Writer's Workshop:
Reading alone trains you for correct usage, getting the words right. This is no minor matter: The lack of correctness is the lack of communication.
If your language is clear and precise, the reader will see what you see and hear what you hear.
Reading will also help you learn to write compelling stories. The more you read, the more you will understand what works and what does not. As you read great writing and not-so-great writing, you will learn to put together strong sentences, paragraphs, scenes, and chapters to craft stories your own readers will love.
2. Reading Familiarizes You With Your Genre
Each genre comes with certain conventions, and your readers will expect to find them in your story. If you do not read books in the genre you write, you will not know how to craft a compelling story that your readers will enjoy.
If you want to write horror books, read horror books. If you want to write thrillers, read thrillers. If you want to write cat cozies, read cat cozies.
Did you know that you have to have a “Hero at the Mercy of a Villain” scene if you are writing a thriller book? I didn't. Now I am adding a scene in my story Weed Woman Saves The Town where the villain captures Weed Woman.
Harper, my cat, is going to write cat cozy mystery novels. Now she knows she needs to read cat cosy mystery novels to understand the genre. Yes, even though she is a cat, it would be prudent to read cat cozy mystery novels.
When she reads them, Harper will find friends with similar interests, cats who are detectives. She will understand what story elements she should include in her novels. She wants people to like her stories.
It's hard for me to believe that people who read very little (or not at all in some cases) should presume to write and expect people to like what they have written. —Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Of course, just because conventions exist does not mean you must always include them all in your stories. They are not hard-and-fast laws.
However, you must know the rules before you can break them. Otherwise, you will not know whether breaking them is a good idea. Read, read, and read some more so that you can learn the conventions of your genre and figure out how you want to use them in your stories.
3. Reading Helps You Learn to Write Good Description
Good description is a learned skill, one of the prime reasons you cannot succeed unless you read a lot and write a lot. —Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
I just finished reading Red Dragon by Thomas Harris. In the first two paragraphs, we are introduced to Will Graham and Jack Crawford.
There is no detailed description of what they are wearing, or where they are. We don't know if they are wearing shoes or what brand their pants are. I appreciate this character introduction because it reminds me that details should move a story forward and be there for a reason.
Last week I wrote a story for The Write Practice's writing contest. The story is a horror/thriller about two women who are neighbors, and one of the women is killing the neighbor's cats.
I wrote the first draft, then I took a break and read Red Dragon in one sitting. After I read the book, I rewrote the section where Sally is in the basement. I added sound and smell because I read a section in Red Dragon where Harris describes what Graham can hear and smell. The sensory details helped me feel like I could see what he saw and feel what he felt.
Sally sat on a stool in front of the workbench. She heard the hum of the furnace and the ticking of the clock. The room smelled of rat poison and dried blood. She stared at the hides tacked to the wall. They were covered in cobwebs.
Writers Read
Read and write, read and write, read and write, clean the litter boxes, read and write, read and write, feed the six cats, read and write, read and write, walk the dog, read and write, read and write, wash your socks, read and write.
Do you think it is important for writers to be readers? Please tell me in the comments section. I would love to know what you think.
PRACTICE
What are the conventions of your genre? Take fifteen minutes to write down all the conventions you can think of based on all the books you've read in your genre. For example, all the cat cozy mystery novels Harper has read take place in small towns and villages. Now Harper knows she will want to set her story in a small town. When you've written as many conventions as you can think of, share them in the comments.
Also, please tell us what you are reading. If you are reading anything that is. I just finished reading Red Dragon by Thomas Harris.
I hope you are now feeling inspired to find books in your genre to read. If you are not sure what books in your genre would be good to read, please tell us in the comments what genre you are writing in, and maybe other readers can suggest books for you to read.
Harper, my cat, would like cat cozy mystery suggestions.
Hello,
I love the cozy mystery genre. However, it is difficult to find those which are well-written. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also, is it true that cozies are moving to trade paperbacks versus mass market paperbacks? If so, will this inhibit the popularity of this genre do you think?
Thanks for the great article. I tend to forget to use the four senses when describing my scenarios.
Me, too. I am good with dialog. Now I know why—I like dramaturgy, plays and screenplays, mostly drama and comedy. Exposition is more of a challenge. Perhaps the best way to go about this, is not to restrict to one genre, necessarily. One could even read blogs, if they are well written and reflect the author-as-student’s voice.
Yep, description/narration is a toughy for me too. Pamela’s got it – reading makes your writing better and more rich. Especially if we read a lot.
I’m reading Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Hogwarts was my childhood, and the series is inspiring for me because it’s so magical and was a refuge for me. Stories are so much more than words on a page. They help children get through bullying, divorce, horrible teachers and just life in general. When you’ve read many books, you’ve lived many lives.
So true – I even sometimes think back on characters or books that I’ve read that’ve really stuck with me. Some books are so good you have to re-read! After a challenging day, there’s nothing like settling on the couch to take a ride with a good book.
I absolutely agree that reading improves writing, not only selected, well written books, but every genere, because there’s heaps to learn from every novel.
I like writing fantasy stories for children, light horror, supernatural fiction, and anything that stimulates the mind. I like reading and writing animal stories where animals are as smart as humans, and have more reasoning and logic.
I enjoy reading, but I’m not attracted to erotica, vampires, werewolves and zombies. Anything else will do, especially the classics.
Have you read Jane Eyre? I read it as a kid and loved it.
This was absolutely awesome. One of the best articles. I am not reading anything at this time. Stress on buying a home. I do read here and there. My kids and I have been going to the library. They read books, then, I do. So, I am writing children’s books. I guess I am reading in my genre. I did write a shorty story in suspense. I should probably read more of them. I grew up watching scary movies. I know that doesn’t count. But, it helps. Thank you, Pamela! Thank you, Harper! I finished my cat stories. I don’t even know about the “Cat Cozy Mystery” genre. I wish I could do more.
I wouldn’t say watching movies doesn’t count. The movies were written, after all. but I wouldn’t limit myself by ONLY watching movies.
I agree.And, thank you, for your comment.
I’m reading a book called “Distant Echoes” by Colleen Coble. Hers are mostly romantic suspense, but I don’t read it for the romance, I read it for the suspense. : ) One of my favorite authors of all time is Brandilyn Collins (“Over the Edge” and “Double Blind”), who rights some of the best suspense I’ve ever read. The genre I’m writing in right now is suspense/action. Love love love it! If anyone knows any good suspense/action books, let me know!
Thank you Pamela, for the suggestions and tips on reading. And not only is reading good for writing, reading is good for relaxing! : )
My favorite suspense authors are Michael Crichton and Dean Koontz.
I need more James Patterson books about thriller!
Why?
Because I am going to write thriller.
Pamela, as a blogger, I love reading to enrich my writing style and vocabulary. There is something extremely inspiring to find a piece of work and say to yourself: “hey, this is how I want to write like”. Great post (and drawings)!
Cheers,
Anh
Even in silence there was chaos. No words needed to be spoken, but everyone was screaming with there eyes. We were on the brink of a war that would destroy us. No one dared breathe all there was a spoken fear amongst them. Anarchy had been an issue here and now some one finally took over, a ruthless man. The man was thick and muscular, he looked like he would squeeze the life out of you with his bare hands, people said he was a monster. Before Kalopsia fell we were fine, then our president committed suicide and we fell into the hands of anarchy. Our country was always corrupt, lies. Thievery and murder were not uncommon, but things had the illusion of being more beautiful than they really were.
Everyone pretended that nothing was going on in the streets. This place was to pretty they said, we live in a paradise God breathed on and it was beauty beyond words, it was magical. The sky was always blue and the ocean was bluer. The sand on the beaches was white and at night a thousand stars danced in the night sky. When the sun rose a thousand colors danced in the sky. The mountains with a fresh ocean sent, crisp cool air and luscious green grass provided a whole view of the country‘s breathtaking scenery. Deep valleys with clean rivers so clear you could see all its depths. They say think of the prettiest place you’ve seen, and times it to infinity. Tourists came here and cried when they had to leave, but we cry everyday now.
I cant remember how or why president Juan Faldeja killed himself but he did. He wasn’t corrupt but he killed someone to get in office, we all assumed that his act of murder had haunted him to much and he couldn’t take the guilt anymore it was funny how so much corruption went on in a heavenly paradise.
After his death our country closed down and then lost its mind. I remember the first night there was a riot. Id never seen so much death and blood in the streets, but that’s what had happened. The monster man created a gang of people of all ages the youngest was nine. They started in the night dragging people with prized possessions of and beating them in the streets for there things, burning things and breaking in stores for the meager amounts of food and water. Killing people for there clothes and houses, killing people all night long just to laugh. It lasted till the sun came up and they did it over and over. We were a scared people my dad told me, he laughed nervously and his intense blue eyes met mine, but we are a strong people one day we will bounce back.
But things got worse, schools shut down because everyday kids were killed and schools were raided for the tiny things we had, a teacher got killed in the bathroom for a roll of toilet paper once! Then churches moved to homes and other secret places our buildings were taken over to house his people and serve as a way to intimidate us. The country flag in places that us people went to was turned upside down, it sent out the message we are in desperate times and only God can save us. Hospitals became the worst place to be on earth. Lots of dying people in the halls, each room had twenty people in it at least it was too much to keep up with. The ill and injured. You were better off trying too fight whatever ailed you yourself. Banks were worthless, if you wanted something you stole it before anyone else could. We were all hopeful and praying for God to save us, but God was only protecting us from the worst that was yet too happen. God would pull us through this, but people got mad at God so God decided to lift his hand.
Eventually the monster took over everything, we were in total denial but, this is were we now are, the monster got his guts and he hacked the radio system.
“everyone go to the presidents mansion NOW my men find you and kill you little………
We got the message, so with fear we all crowded onto the front yard of the mansion it reeked of dead bodies. He came out on the steps and his army poured out and herded us in with guns, no one had guns anymore all the bullets were taken and what good is a gun without bullets? There was no escape. He came out, he really was a monster he was a giant big buff and muscular. He was healthy compared to us starving souls, he had a scar on his pale face and the torches made him look more evil. The mansion was a big with mansion surrounded by palm trees, it had marble steps that led up to the grand house. His voice boomed over us a nasty, gravely sharp voice, he sounded like a monster.
He stepped his foot on the marble and the earth shook no one dared breathe. We all looked at the monster but he wasn’t a monster he was just human. But that’s what made him a monster. every time you looked in eyes you saw all you feared. Funny how someone can have that effect on you right?’ he opened his mouth and spoke words no human would ever speak.
“ I see we are I need…. Of a leader right? Well he snickered, we knew where it was going. “ NOW, he boomed I am your new leader you will now fall on your……
I never got to hear what he said, my dad took my arm and he ran with me he had a huge sack on his back with probably other bags in it too. We bolted off into the woods and my mother was with us too also with a large sack. We ran and ran gunshots in the background people falling over and an unmistakable silence, louder than any scream I ever heard, the world blurred by. I felt like I was death and blind to the world as we ran until there was nothing, nothing but three broken people in a vast plain under the unbroken midnight sky.
Please tell me what u think and also what genre this would be
Dystopian society, fiction genre. Depends where the story goes.
I don’t know what genre I write. I usually write based on the story I want to tell. Would using convention X help or hurt my story? If ‘help’, I use the convention, if ‘hurt’, I avoid it. Can’t think of a concrete example.
What do you think of stories with no clear genre? I’ve heard ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ called such. Or how about ‘The Kite Runner’ or ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’, what genres would you consider those?
I finished reading ‘Five Star Billionaire’ by Tash Aw. Been trying to read more local authors. He’s Malaysian while I’m Singaporean, but close enough. Enjoyed the book, he treats the theme of authenticity/deception in fascinating ways.
And your post is very timely. I was just telling myself that I need to put myself on a proper fiction diet. I feel different when I don’t read fiction for an extended period of time. Life loses colour. I need to read more – not just for my mental health, but for my writing ability!
Last thing to add. A friend told me today that knowing how to tell a story well is a skill, but knowing which story to tell is a gift. Struck me because I recently finished a short story on terrorism, because I’ve never read anything dealing with that and have something to say on the topic. Would add that we read so we know what stories are already being told, and can find the ones that have yet to be.
I like your approach of finding the convention that helps and using that. I enjoy stories that are hard to pigeonhole into a single genre. (Actually, I prefer my music that way, too.) I thought of William Goldman’s “The Princess Bride.” Is it fantasy? Comedy? Action/Thriller? I was shocked when my daughter called it “realistic fiction” until she pointed out that the story is about a father reading a book to his son.
Thanks for sharing! Gotta check that book out.
Just finished The Panther, by DeMille, hard on the heels of The Things They Carried by O’Brien. Those aren’t my genre, but the writing was unique to my normal fantasy literature. Experiencing different styles leaves an impressions. Particularly with the O’Brien work, I was stunned by the use of word and story architecture and their use to trap the reader in the story … To feel the monotony and terror juxtaposed so adroitly inspires.
Can I do that? I don’t know. I suppose I’ll need more of the read-write life skill application to discover the answer.
Timely post, thank you for the reflective practice.
Of course you can do that. While I use the advice I get from The Write Practice, I also remind myself there is no one “correct” way to write. If it works for you, it is right. If it doesn’t work for you, then (by definition) it doesn’t work.
Many times I find things other authors swear by just don’t work for me. These include everything from juxtaposing how the protagonist changes against something constant to using Scrivener. Neither works for me, but that doesn’t make them wrong.
What are some suggestions for a good “Psychological Thriller”?
Do medical thrillers count? If so, I recommend TRAUMA, Written by Michael Palmer and Daniel Palmer. Amazing book that keeps you on the edge of your seat with mystery, a fascinating array of characters, and ever rising stakes.
Perfect! I thank you kindly for your assistance, dear sir.
Thank you so much Pamela. Indeed, as writers, we need to read a lot more than we think we should.
At the moment, I am reading Artemis Foul. As you might have guessed from that, I read and write a lot of fantasy, and at the moment I am working on a series of novels involving a mix of African mythology and fantasy, of course incorporating a great deal of other major world myths. However, from one of the comments, you say that exposition is one of your difficulties while dialogue is your forte. In my case, it is the opposite. What would your advise on that be?
Also, perhaps an idea of a cat cozy (I am not very sure what that means or if I am correct): A cat scientist working in the research department of CatNip Org. has stumbled upon a great mystery in the depths of the company; the board of Lions are keeping the last human in existence prisoner, trying to discover why she is still alive even after the Great Extinction of Humans.
Meh… Just random thinking…
Love the Stephen King quotes. Definitely added On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft to my reading list.
I have a different approach to reading. (At least I haven’t come across it yet.) I don’t read in the genre I’m writing. I read what I like, and that BECOMES the genre in which I write. My WIP is a YA thriller. I’ve enjoyed young adult books since I was a “young adult” myself.
I just finished reading Ray Bradbury’s “I Sing the Body Electric” and am now reading a collection of short stories by Langston Hughes. I’m also reading a non-fiction book on space travel and I’m slowly working my way through one of my daughter’s joke books. I only read 3-4 jokes per day, as I don’t want the humor in my stories to become too silly.