Some people write because they read. Some people read because they write. In fact, the two can co-exist with each other. For example, I write on my Kindle and read on my iPad. The reason I recommend this approach is because I believe that reading and writing have a similar effect on the mind. If you’re a writer, read a lot; your brain will grow accustomed to the repetition that writing provides.
You think youre a writer if you produce works youre not aware of publishing. If youre not aware of writing, you are not a writer. You may think youre a writer if you produce works youre aware of publishing. If youre aware of publishing, you are a writer.
I know its a cliche, but it’s true. If you’re a writer, read. If you’re not a writer, read. If you read a book that you think is great, read it again and again. If you think it’s good, read it again. Every time you read it you’re learning something new.
How many times have you read a book that you thought was amazing and then wondered why you had never read it before? This time is no different. To help keep me on track, I’m going to give you one of my favorite quotes from a famous writer, one that I think everyone should read.
“All the world’s a stage. And all the men and women merely players.
I have to admit that I’ve always loved this quote, mostly because it seems to perfectly describe how I think about writing. It’s not about “how to write,” but rather about “what to write.” If you read something that you think is good, read it again and again. Whenever you re-read something you learn something new. You learn how to write better, you learn how to think better, you learn something new.
I know that I read a lot. But I also know that you should read a lot, too. I’m going to go ahead and give you 10 reasons why you should read at least one book a year to help you become a better writer.
Good writing is something that comes naturally to some, but for the rest of us, it is something that we have to work at. We have to practice, practice, practice, before we can become better at it. Some people do a better job than others, but they all have something in common: they are willing to work at it and put in the work.
A few people tell me that they write better after they’ve been reading. It’s kind of like riding a bike. You’ve seen people do it, you’ve seen people doing it right, and you’ve seen people doing it wrong. But you still want to learn. You want to learn how to ride a bike, so you get to the bike shop and you ask the guy for advice. What does he say? You can’t ride a bike without practice.
Reading, for the most part, isn’t like riding a bike at all. Writing is a different kind of thing. It’s not something you can just sit down and do. You have to put effort in to get better. That’s what the reading world is like. People are willing to read for the specific purpose of improving. But they are also willing to read as a hobby, if you will.
