In my opinion the answer to the above question is to read, read, and read. I am trying to read every book that I can get my hands on. Mostly middle grade, YA and picture books because that is what I write. But also some adult books too. I read where someone said,"read a thousand books of the genre you're interested in. Then write your book." And that is so true. The more I read, the better I write.
I love seeing the way writers use words and detail to make their stories come alive. I am amazed at the beautiful sentences they use to transport us to their worlds. Now when I sit down to write I think about these writers and their lovely words.
I run into a lot of people who don't like this advice. They don't have the time to read they say. Writing takes discipline. I want to be published one day. I want to read everything I can get my hands on.
As I write this I'm trying to master one form of narrative that's especially effective and that is the beats that follow lines of dialogue, instead of tags. I hope I said that so you can understand what I'm talking about. I'm reading a book called For The Sake Of Elena by Elizabeth George. She is a master at things like that. What do you think is the BEST thing a writer can do to hone his or her craft? :) Thanks for reading and thanks for being a part of my writerly life.
Personally, I think it's a combination:
ReplyDeleteRead, read, and read...then write, write, and write. Practice makes perfect, and you have to practice writing--and rewriting and revising and editing--before you can get any good.
Ah! My writing partner, but you said, "read, read, read FIRST! So there you have it. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree writing falls into the equation too. But one must read well, before one can write well. :)
I think reading is very important to honing your craft. It's also a wonderful escape outlet when life gets too heavy. But, yeah, whenever I go to writing classes or get critiques about my writing, things click a lot faster because I can relate to something I've read. It's kinda like, "OHHHH. That's how so-and-so made that book so good when she wrote whats-it-called."
ReplyDeleteLinda, Exactly! From reading lots of books, everything comes together for the writer. I am writing my new WIP trying to make as few mistakes in the first draft as possible. And learning as I go because it's YA and a mystery. Two things I've never done. It's super fun though. Reading has helped me so much in my writing life. And you're right. What a great RELEASE. :)
ReplyDeleteReading is the best--not just books but also reading for contests and critiquing other people's work, too. :)
ReplyDeleteWrite, write, write . . . read, read, read . . . follow blogs, follow blogs, follow blogs. Sorry to disrupt the order of things, but reading often distracts me from writing. I normally try to fit a balance of writing/reading into my week, with more time spent writing . . . unless it's an absolutely fantastic book that I can't put down.
ReplyDeleteS
Reading and writing first. Then add critiquing, join a crit group or create one. So much can be learned by having to articulate--constructively--what works and what does not.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, Agreed! Reading anything helps us to really SEE how it's done. :)
ReplyDeleteScott, I spend more time on my writing too which I could NOT do without the reading. :)
Tricia, You're right that critiquing is a vital part of the equation, but as Linda said above, when she gets a crit on her writing things click a lot faster because she can relate it to something she's read. :)
Practice makes perfect! So I think you have to write and write a lot to get better, but I agree with you 100% that reading is also an important part of the equation. I read everything I can, and especially books in my genre. Great post!
ReplyDeleteAgree, agree, agree! And i love to read. Lucky me! I need to read more in my genre though. I tend to zoom in and out. I'm heavily going through a historical phase right now.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, Robyn. And I agree. Even reading books I don't like helps because I learn what I enjoy and what doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks BJ. I'm reading when I'm not writing and doing family stuff. I even read and write while doing family stuff. It's so much a part of what I do. :)
ReplyDeleteT. Anne, It does help when we love to read, doesn't it? :) I was strictly reading in my genre but have recently been reading outside it which has helped me even more. I think because I see that no matter the age group, no matter the genre, writers still write the same way basically. :) Great sentences, showing, and super detail. :)
Tess, I agree Tess! If I read a book that I don't particularly like I still learn some things. :) Well put Tess!
This is funny! I just wrote my post for Monday, and it is about reading. I think reading is essential to hone our craft. Not only can we learn from another's writing (both good and bad), but we are also inspired by it to actually write. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree that reading is essential, and I don't do enough of it. I have trouble multi-tasking I guess *LOL* because I'm either writing or reading. When I'm heavily into a wip, reading distracts me.
ReplyDeleteI am going to check out what you mentioned about Elizabeth George's writing, because I'm working on improving dialogue lines as well, reducing tags. Thanks for the tip!
Susan, great minds...you know the rest! :) And the books we read do inspire us to write. If I didn't read, I wouldn't be able to write. I'm thankful I was always a voracious reader. Without that, I wouldn't be where I am today. Thanks.:)
ReplyDeleteSharla, You're welcome. When I'm heavily into a WIP, reading helps me. Except when doing final edits then I can't do anything but work on my book. :) Thanks for stopping by. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm...the best advice. I think I'm with Beth.It's a combination. Wread, wread, wread. Just to make it fair. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I'll also say, "Stick with it. Don't give up!"
Robyn, I agree. If I could only give ONE piece of advice, I'd say it would be to read. What you can learn from doing that is invaluable. And for those who don't have time for a critique group, or can't find one, it can still help with your writing.
ReplyDeleteDavin! I love how you made it fair. :) The stickwithitness is vital I agree! :)
ReplyDeleteCindy, Yes! There was a time when I didn't have a critter to critique me. The reading I did became my crit group. Great point! :)
I think it's reading like a writer. Not just reading. Critically reading. I love when I can actually enjoy a book these days :)
ReplyDeletePJ, I critically read and still enjoy it. I must be NUTS! Huh? :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's a combination of reading and researching the concepts behind craft.
ReplyDeleteReading is VERY important, for many reasons. But if you don't know the basic concepts of how the book was put together, then it will likely take eons before the reader can recognize those concepts in someone else's work.
When I first set out to hone my craft, I took it one concept at a time. I started with the most popular: show don't tell. I read several different professional definitions of it, then set out to find it in published books. I did the same kind of thing with characterization, voice, tension, and countless others. It kept the learning process from feeling overwhelming, yet I think I learned much quicker in the grand scheme of things.
Great post!
Tabitha, but you read to learn. Right? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, most definitely. I think reading is essential to learning.
ReplyDeleteSo reading to write is how we hone our craft. Right? :)
ReplyDeleteOh definitely! I agree, reading is so helpful! The way authors turn and swing their words into the most perfect sentences. I'll sometimes sit there, staring at a phrase in a book for a long period of time -- amazed at how they did it. Plus, it is so refreshing to hear someone's writing style besides my own.
ReplyDeletePhilipa, Well said!! I do the same thing. Stare at a well written sentence to admire the words and dissect it. :)
ReplyDeleteAs a former university professor of the craft of writing, including Writing for Publication, I can support your conclusion that reading is a significant key: reading analytically and carefully choosing the authors who are truly great writers, given that some contemporary authors seem to have managed to make it into print without learning the basics of composition. I doubt if some of today's popular works will last into the next century.
ReplyDeleteI would add a second element beyond the rules of grammar and stylistics, which reading alone probably will not give you, and that is to know your audience. For your work to reach an audience, you have to reach them. This is something that many of my students found hard to understand. They were essentially writing for themselves and very pleased with their unique turns of phrase, but they failed to develop the topic in ways that readers could follow or to present content in ways that were accessible to readers. It is always wise to have someone who would be an intended reader of the book read the manuscript first; then, take the feedback to heart even if you disagree.
Good luck with your writing.