The Importance of Reading for Writers

One thing is very important for every writer, every single one of us. Continuing to read even when we’re dedicated to our own stories and writing craft, it’s crucial that we keep reading. Whatever your favourite genre, author or tropes to read or write, every skill has a theoretical side. Before putting skills into practice, one has to understand the process, fine-tune their knowledge and delve into the nitty gritty.

That's what reading is for writers. By experiencing and reflecting on what published authors have done with their narrative elements, we grow as writers. Now, if you’re an avid reader (budding librarian), I suggest reflecting on this after a reading session (either at the end of chapters if you read in small sessions, or after each book if you read as much as I do).

By analysing and questioning as you read, you automatically distort your experience as a reader. As readers, we react with emotion and even physical reactions to the stories of others. One must give in to these reactions, letting the reading come naturally to us, to have a genuine reader experience. We need to do this in order to understand our own readers, those who will become the audience of our future works.

Then comes the analytical reflection. After a reading session, as writers we can look back on what we read and what that elicited in terms of experience. Being able to pinpoint narrative elements and techniques can at times be a curse when reading, but used as a reflection it can be one of the most influential skills we have.

Start by asking yourself what you felt as you read. Were you excited, sad, anticipating what’s coming next? Why? What did the story do to make you feel that way. For example, if you were reading and came across a major plot twist and felt like all the pieces of the puzzle pieced together at once. Why? Did the author sprinkle little clues through the previous chapters? Were the characters acting unusual, out of character, making you suspicious with the addition of said clues? Chances are yes to all of the above. If those pieces fit together, it’s because the author made them fit. It's simple reverse engineering. The accuracy of which only increases with practice.

Remember to read, reflect and learn from your peers, who’ve passed all the hurdles to getting published. It's such a rich area for honing our skills and quite an enjoyable one.