From Women Writers, Women’s Books:
I know what you’re thinking: I’ve heard this before. If you want to be a writer, you must first and foremost be a reader blah blah blah …
Well, it’s true, actually. But I’d like to offer some deeper insight into my own writing process and how the role of reading plays a huge part in my success.
I read, on average, 100 books per year. This year, with the pandemic, I’m way over that — clocking in at 143 books as I write this article. I read because I enjoy it. There’s nothing else I’d rather be doing—and that includes writing! But reading is also my job and I couldn’t write well without it.
Here’s why: when I read a book, in addition to enjoying the pleasure of reading, I also take notes. I don’t mean lengthy summaries or scratching in the margins of my prized books…what I mean is that I keep small notebooks with me at all times, and when I read something that really stands out to me, I’ll note the title, author name, page/pages, and add a one line description of what it is I’m referencing/impressed by.
For example, there might be a fight scene on page 208 that I think was done brilliantly or a love scene in chapter nine that made me ugly cry or a perfect scene set-up on page 18, paragraph three. Even if it’s something I think I’ll never write about or need to look at again…if it moves me, it goes in the notebook.
In these notebooks I have thousands of notes … and when I sit down to write myself, if I’m struggling with something, then I search for inspiration in my notes and I go and read those lines/pages/chapters that made me so excited. I seek out that author or body of work if I need to. This gets me in the perfect headspace to work on whatever the scene is I’m stuck on. I’ve read so many books, that it’s rare that I can’t find some inspiration in my notes when I’m stuck. If I’m struggling with something, then I want to reference someone else that did it perfectly so that I can bring some of that magic into my own story.
Link to the rest at Women Writers, Women’s Books
To add to that:
I write the books so that I can read the books.
Too many authors say that they can’t read their own books once they are published.
I enjoy reading what I write. If I didn’t, I would not publish the books. Because if I can’t enjoy the books, who will.
Second the motion.
I’ve read this blog for some time – through my first finished (although still not in final draft) novel, written in my first NaNoWriMo year, multiple blog posts, short stories, non-fiction projects, and now, my current WIP.
I’ve gotten inspiration, knowledge, and practical tips on improving my writing, becoming more professional, and learning the craft of indie publishing.
This has to be the BEST thing I’ve ever read here. I will be following that advice from now on.
Thank you. This is awesome