17 writing style Guides ideas

9 Ways to Use Reading to Improve Your Writing – writing is an endless loop of ideas, writing styles, and people’s lives, so it’s no surprise that reading plays a large role in shaping you as a a writer. Here are 9 ways that you can purposefully use reading to hone your writing skills. We are a rare breed. We spend hours by ourselves. We visit new worlds and times on a regular basis. Our favorite people constantly die before our eyes. We are collectors and protectors of both the history and the future. Who are we? No, not Time Lords. Bookworms! If you’re reading this blog, chances are you have an affinity for reading. Most writer’s do. I touched briefly on the idea of how reading can help writing in my newsletter, but I’d like to expand on that a bit more today. It’s odd to think that we learn to write by reading books that were written by other people, people who honed their talent by reading another’s work. Writing is an endless loop of ideas, writing styles, and people’s lives. It’s quite beautiful, if you ever stop to think about it. Anyway, here are 9 ways you can use reading to improve your writing: Use books as tools to write. It’s a writer’s job to describe places we’ve never been, write about people we aren’t, and expose points of view that people have long forgotten. How are we supposed to do this well? Through reading. Reading not only feeds us new ideas, but it explains to us people and places that we would have never been able to understand. Bookshelves are like a writer’s toolbox. Dig around enough and you’ll find a way to approach that one character, write about that certain topic, or fill up that plot hole. No, this isn’t stealing, something that I’ve explained here. Don’t just read in the genre that you write. This is a brilliant way to turn out clich?, shallow stories. While there’s nothing wrong with reading in your genre, there is something wrong with reading exclusively in that genre. If you’re going to read, then read. Read classics, historical fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, sci-fi, graphic novels, manga. By doing this, you will be broadening your scope, allowing yourself to write in ways different than many authors in your genre. Besides, most genres have the same themes and ideas, just expressed in a different way. Sometimes seeing this new way will give you the kick you need in your own writing. Read thoughtfully. Study the story. Delve into the characters. Don’t just read a book and think, “That was good” or “That was bad.” Do NOT like or dislike a book simply because everyone else does. Identify the specific parts that made the story good or bad. Ask yourself how you would have done it differently. Learn from other authors. Books are more than entertainment, so treat them as such. Learn from them. Not only will this better your writing, but it will sharpen your intellect and feed your soul. Read thoughtlessly. I know, I know. I just said to read thoughtfully. However, sometimes it’s helpful to simply read a book for the enjoyment of it. Don’t ask yourself why it makes you feel the way you do. Don’t try to understand it. Just read. Then, when you are done, go back and think very hard about the book. Search for problems, plot holes, the good parts, the bad parts. Notice how your perception of the book changes. Notice what parts of books often seem good, but end up being shallow upon close scrutiny. This will keep you from writing a story that contains mostly fluff and nonsense. Read brilliant books. Go out of your way to read books that you know to be brilliant. While it’s never a good idea to compare yourself to another writer, it’s always helpful to have writers to look up to and learn from. Read lame books. If a book is badly done, don’t just throw it out. Sometimes bad books can be helpful. Not only does it show you how not to write (which is sometimes more helpful than learning how to write), but it can give you some hope. I mean, if junk like that can get published, you should be able to publish your own stuff, right? Also, you can look at those bad books and be determined to keep any of your novels from ever being that bad. So really, bad books aren’t worthless. There is grace in their failings. That being said, I wouldn’t suggest going out of your way to read sucky books. Open your mind. Open your mind to what exactly it is that makes a good story. Be ready to encounter new and strange writing techniques. Ask questions. Challenge yourself and your ideas. There are so many books, blog posts, and people telling you about what makes up good writing. Try to forget them all and make up your own mind based on the books that you read. Question everything. This is closely connected to reading thoughtfully, but I thought it should get it’s own paragraph because it’s so darn important. Questioning plot points and character motivation in other people’s books will lead your to do the same for your own writing. In fact, it’s probably best to read books like Gwen: As long as you can do this without being rude and cynical, that is. I’m halfway there. Just gotta get rid of the cynical side. But, let’s be honest. The odds of that are about 3,720 to 1. Read books that mean something to you. At the end of the day, a book is only as good, as truthful, and as wise as its author. If you want to write a book with meaning, then you’re going to have to find a way to make your own life meaningful. Do you have questions about the problem of pain? Read books about it. Fighting against depression, chronic pain, marital problems? Read. And, of course, find somebody you can talk to about the world and the questions you have. This is key. The better you can express yourself and identify your own questions, the better equipped you will be to write characters and their problems. It’s also interesting to note that these ideas also apply to movies and music. After all, films and melodies are a style of storytelling, too. I think often times we forget the value of a story. We forget that, though they can entertain, they can also teach, create, destroy, and improve. Books really are magnificent, and it’s important to remember just how magnificent they are so that we can use them correctly. What about you? Do you use reading to better your writing skills, or have you simply never thought of it? Did I miss any points? Please leave a comment below! Related articles: Challenging Writers to Create Stories With Meaning 6 Reasons You Should Be Writing Short Stories….And 5 Tips to Help You Get Started 6 Easy Ways to Gain Writing Inspiration Enjoy this post? Take a look around. If you like what you see, please don’t forget to subscribe by email for a new post every week!