It’s true. I can no longer just read
to enjoy a story. It was in reading other stories that first helped me to create
some of my own. When I read, I look to see
what it takes other writers to create fully complex plot lines, fully fleshed
out characters in their stories.
I read to understand how the writer sets up the story,
connects the plot lines, builds the characters, and introduces backstory. I can see all sides of the story now that I’m
a writer. I can appreciate the hard work the author did to create the story
line. I learn new insight in how to draw readers into my own stories. I read
between the plot lines to see if I can obtain a better understanding of how the
author put the story together.
Being an avid reader, I can see the importance of small
details in stories. However that being the case, I find the plot holes in
storylines; find errors in logic that shoves me out of the fictitious dream as John
Gardner says in The Art of Fiction.
Writers should be readers, because reading can open the mind,
can offer an opportunity to learn something new. We learn about myths and
traditions, other cultures and other worlds when we read. We get story ideas
from reading journals or essays, other histories or other adventures.
All writers learn from other writers through the reading of
their stories. I know I do. Reading a new novel or memoir, we can understand
how a story flows, how it builds momentum, how it comes full circle. Writers should
be readers—especially in the genre that they are writing. Read award-winners as
well as popular writers and small presses and indie writers.
Should a writer read while creating her own story? I say we
should always read, if only to give our minds a rest from our own story creations.
All the luck with your own stories in 2017. Thanks for stopping by Adventures
and leaving a note. It’s greatly appreciated.
This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s SupportGroup. We post on the first Wednesday of every
month. To join us, or learn more about
the group, click HERE.