“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.”
- Stephen King
To write well, there are only two things you absolutely must do: read and write. Everything else will flow from these two activities, which are essentially yin and yang. Without each other, reading and writing cannot exist. They rely on one another. They are two parts of a greater whole.
Writing is a complex and complicated skill. While basic writing skills can be taught, it's impossible to teach the art of fine writing. It is possible to learn, but this learning is only fully achieved through reading.
The human brain is like a sponge. We soak up everything we observe and experience throughout our lives, and each thing we are exposed to becomes part of the very fiber of our beings. What we read is no exception.
You may not be able to recite all the Mother Goose nursery rhymes you read as a child, but they’re still somewhere in that head of yours. When a little voice whispers Jack be nimble, Jack be quick, there’s a good chance you’ll recall Jack jumped over a candlestick. You absorbed that nursery rhyme many years ago, and it remains with you always.
If you want to write well, you must read well, and you must read widely. Through reading you will gain knowledge and you will find inspiration. As you read more, you will learn to read with a writer's eye. Even grammar sinks in when you read. If you’re worried about memorizing all the rules of grammar, then just read books written by adept writers. Eventually, it all will become part of your mental makeup.
A well-read writer has a better handle on vocabulary, understands the nuances of language, and recognizes the difference between poor and quality writing.
A writer who doesn't read is like a musician who doesn't listen to music or a filmmaker who doesn't watch movies. It is impossible to do good work without experiencing the good work that has been done.
All the grammar guides, writing tips, and books on writing will not make you a better writer if you never read. Reading is just as crucial as writing, if not more so, and the work you produce will only be as good as the work you read.
What is the Difference Between Good Writing and Bad Writing?
Strengths and weaknesses in a written work can be wide and varied. The ideas can be groundbreaking while the prose is dull. The work can be technically adept, demonstrating mastery of the language (grammar, spelling, and punctuation), but the story uninteresting.
Good writing is subjective. One person's favorite novel is another person's least favorite, and that same novel could be considered one of the greatest classics in the literary canon. Meanwhile, a current bestseller might be mocked by critics despite the fact that millions of readers have fallen in love with it.
Some readers prefer stories that say something about the human condition. Others like a story packed with adventure or romance. Some won't bother with works that aren't written in a literary style, while others don't care about the language as long as the information is solid or the story is entertaining.
Ultimately, you get to decide what types of writing speak to you and which types of writing you will read and write yourself.
However, if you want to produce quality work, it’s essential to read material that is mechanically sound. It's also necessary to explore variety in the work you read.
Looking for Good Books
It's impossible to read everything. We have to pick and choose, but how do we do so when there are so many books to choose from? Do we look at the market and read what's selling? Do we turn to the reviewers and award winners? Consumer ratings online?
