Without input there is no output, we can all agree to this, right? The formula goes for everything and writing is no exception. You cannot be a writer let alone a good writer if you are not a good reader in the first place. By reading you are equipping with the skills you need to write. Learning to analyze the written work of others and understanding their writing techniques can go a long way in making you a good writer.
You will never meet a writer who doesn’t read; and if you are a budding reader who is struggling with reading, here are few tips that will help you.
Read something popular
You cannot become a good reader just like that and knowing where to start can be a tad confusing. If you are not sure about what to read, you can start by reading what everyone else is reading. Ask your friends what they are reading currently and if they are enjoying it. You can consider their suggestions and begin from there.
Analyze the text
Your content could be great but if it is not structured properly, it will fail its purpose. You should not read the text to gather information, you should read it to understand how the text is written.
While reading a book, observe its structure and form. Try to dissect the text and understand why and how it is arranged in the way it is and how does it affect a reader’s experience.
Read like a critic
When you want to become a better writer, you should read to analyze rather than for pleasure. Look at the text from the eyes of a critic and analyze the themes, characters, settings, and plot development of the text. It will help you in building a strong storyline.
Set some time apart for reading
Reading consistently is important; you will need to feed your brain on a daily basis to produce better-written work. Try to set some time apart for reading every day to make it into a habit. It will be tough in the beginning but if you stick to the routine, you will be able to read faster and better.
Try different genres
If you want to be a versatile writer, you cannot stick to your comfort zone by reading books from one genre. Try to read texts from different genres. It will introduce you to different writing styles and formats and you will be able to try your hand at them.
Make a list
After deeply analyzing the texts written by other authors, make a list of techniques used by the author and what are the pros and cons of the technique used by them. Later, you can refer to this list and borrow these techniques from other writers in your own written work.
Read all kinds of texts
When you will look around, you will see that there is so much to read around you. Try to read as much as you can from poems to periodicals, read everything and anything. They all use words differently; it will broaden your outlook on writing and you never know where you may find the spark of inspiration.
Don’t worry about finishing
Immersing yourself in the written word is immensely rewarding for a budding writer. By each text you finish, you will have more knowledge about writing. But don’t take it to mean that the greater the number of books you read, the better are your chances of becoming a great writer.
You should read to learn and not to finish. You are reading to gain knowledge and not simply to flip pages just to get done with it.
