"Read as much as possible and while you're reading, try to see why the writing works." -Arthur Kopit
When I coach individuals on how to improve their writing, I give them many techniques, frameworks, exercises, rules, tools, feedback documents, and more, but I often tell them that these resources may not click unless you are reading as much as you possibly can. Reading is often the best writing teacher.
I run a workshop called "Blogology" in which I talk about how to write through the context of a corporate blog. Participants don't have to be writers at their companies nor is it required that every participant run his own blog - attendees may just want to sharpen their writing skills or even simply understand what goes into business writing. To the surprise of many groups, I begin my presentation by speaking about the importance of reading. I open with this quote:
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” – Stephen King
Back in college, I worked as a Working Fellow / TA in an Introduction to Writing course taken by all freshmen. I vividly remember that on one of the first days of the semester, the professor asked the students to go around the room and share what they liked to read - a favorite book, a type of article, genre, anything. I was absolutely astonished and flabbergasted at the response. Most of the students said they didn't really read, or didn't read at all. Some asked if reading tweets counted. (Answer: No.) Others asked if reading texts counted (sigh). Only a few people in the class had any sort of response - I think one offered "sports magazines around draft time" and another said something about a BuzzFeed article, though I later found out she was just referring to video captions. That was a sad day for me. I realized that's why their writing ability was not where it should be, and why so many people struggle with written communication.
I will give you a taste of my Blogology workshop, because I believe this topic is so important that I want to share it as widely as possible. In this blog post, I won't go into the science behind reading (though in the future, I might!); this is simply a glimpse into why reading is the best thing you can do to improve your writing.
Reading improves vocabulary, concentration, memory, and comprehension. It exposes us to different writing styles, whether it is Shakespeare vs. Hemingway, a newspaper article vs. a foodie blog post, or an art magazine vs. a medical journal. It familiarizes us with the nuances of language, gives us inspiration, provides us with knowledge, and hones our writer's eye: The more you read, the more easily you'll be able to recognize the difference between poor and quality writing.
It sounds strict, but writers need to read for fun; when your mind is free, you enjoy the story behind the writing and dive into the world behind the text. This is the same goal you wish to achieve with your writing. When you recognize a story you enjoy, reflect on what you're reading. Ask yourself why it works -- why it's so powerful. You may enjoy the writer's style, or the characters, or the dialogue, or the setting. You may like that there is a lot of descriptive text, or you may enjoy that there isn't. You may find yourself caught up in plot twists, or you may simply be looking to be educated. Let yourself get invested, then ask yourself why you feel that way. The answer will help you when you return to the author's seat.
Read anything. Not tweets - read the whole story. If you want to be explicit about it, pay attention to the structure of what you're reading. In theatre, we look at each line a character says, and we write out the "beats" and "given circumstances." What is the action happening here? What do we already know to be true in this moment? What is present in this scene - explicitly or impicitly - that I need to be aware of? Mystery novels are especially great to read because you are always thinking about evidence, wondering what you should be paying attention to, and considering suspects, which makes you hyperaware. That level of critical analysis is easy to do when a piece is written well (choose any Agatha Christie novel you'd like!), and in parallel, it will help you incorporate similar elements into your own writing thereafter.
Whatever you want to read, just read it. If you're process-oriented, give yourself a schedule or a goal (aim to finish x chapters per week or y books per month). If you're more of a free spirit, read whenever it feels right. If you're not sure which you are, try one and see how it feels. Reading isn't a chore; it should be enjoyable. Nowadays, finding the time to read feels like a privilege, which I find sad. But musicians listen to music. Actors watch other actors. Doctors discuss medical advancements with other doctors. There is no shame in having a hero or mentor or advisor, or reading other written pieces. It won't hinder your abilities - it will only enhance them.
Takeaway: If you want to be a better writer, read.
