How to Become a Reading Writer
by Rochelle Melander
”If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”
—Stephen King
Writers read. Here’s why:
+To understand the market. What are readers reading right now? Get connected to the books readers love and crave so that you can provide something readers will adore.
+To pitch intelligently. Most agents want current comp titles. You can’t provide them unless you know the recent releases in your genre.
+To discover ideas. Writers find inspiration everywhere, and books can be a great source of new ideas.
+To research. No matter what you write, research will help you present accurate information, a realistic setting or a plausible plot.
+To learn how to write. When writers read, we learn about character creation, plotting, point of view, and more.
But how and when?
I know. You’re busy. And it’s hard to concentrate. Audition books until you find one that captures and keeps your attention. Here are some ideas for finding time to write:
+Pair reading with an existing habit, like breakfast, lunch, or your time on the treadmill. Audio books make a great companion to exercise.
+Take it on a walk. Listen to an audio book. That’s how I am reading Braiding Sweetgrass. Turns out to be the perfect companion for walking in nature.
+Read in the waiting room. Thanks to your smart phone, you never have to read those grimy magazines again. Instead of checking mail, read on your phone.
+Replace the time you surf with digging into a book offline. Audio, digital, or paper—it doesn’t matter. Just stop scrolling and read.
+Read aloud. If you have kids, make bedtime reading a cozy habit. The library has many amazing picture books and collections of poetry you can read together. If your kids are old enough, find a fun series you can read aloud to them. If you leave off at a cliffhanger, by the second or third night, they’ll be begging for bedtime.
But what should you read?
No shoulds! Read what you want. That said, most books and articles have something to teach us about writing.
1. Read the books you wish you’d written. If you desire to write a specific kind of book—children’s fiction, young adult, romance, business—then read everything you can get your hands on in the genre. Read the bestsellers, the best reviewed, and the best loved. Talk to your potential audience and ask them what they like to read—and read that.
2. Read mysteries to learn how to plot. That was Madeleine L’Engle’s advice—and it turned me into an avid mystery fan. It also helped me learn narrative structure.
3. Read children’s picture books, poetry, and literary fiction to learn about word choice and word play.
4. Read romance novels to see how to develop relationships in fiction. And suspense!
5. Read business books, how-to, self help, and other nonfiction books to learn how to make an argument, engage a reader, present research, market your own books and, as a bonus, learn fun stuff to put in your novels!
6. Read a book or magazine article that you think you won’t understand. That will stretch your brain—and improve your writing.
7. Get in a critique group and read the work of your peers. It will teach you how to read with an editor’s eye—and you will get better at using that same skill with your own work.
8. Read anything that you experience as delicious or fun or engaging.
9. Ditch the books that don’t work for you. Yup. No guilt. No regrets. Just move on.
Write Now! Coach Rochelle Melander is an author and ADHD-trained professional certified coach. She helps wildly creative people get stuff done. From writing and publishing books to finishing that work project–she’s got you covered. If you’re struggling to start or finish a project, connect with Rochelle to create a personalized plan for overcoming procrastination, dealing with distraction, and staying focused. Book a private consultation: https://writenowcoach.com/consultation/
