I tried to simplify this month’s question a little in my blog post title. IWSG’s question is: It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?
Let’s look at a phrase in the first part of the question, “all your ideas are new and original.” Think about this. Haven’t we all read—I know, but “read” is not a dirty word for writers—that there are no original plots or ideas for stories? I have. It’s the way we interpret what happens to our characters and what the character’s flaws and strengths are that make our stories unique. In other words, the basic framework may be the same, but the details are different.
As a writer, I do not see any benefit of NOT reading other stories, essays, or blog posts. For myself, I’m not reading to take any other writer’s idea, passages, or plots. I’m reading to learn through other people’s, or character’s, experiences in life. And yes, I read for enjoyment. I love stories, be they fiction or non-fiction.
Think about it. The stimulus for story is all around us. It comes through our day to day lives, our interactions, our adventures, and yes, in our readings. Many times I’ve read that writers ask “what if” when they read or hear a news story or a friend’s anecdote or experience. In fact, many of my YA adventure stories begin with my family’s adventures camping at national parks.
Another reason to read fiction or memoir stories is to find comp titles when putting together a proposal for the publisher. As writers, we need to know what’s out there and where our works in progress fit into the literary landscape. I’ve been looking for recent memoir titles to read dealing with education or personal experience in college. I’m currently reading Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. I may need to broaden my searches. I should consider inspirational works; the power of choices, of believing in yourself, of finding or beginning a dream and seeing it through with perseverance.
*Please offer any recent memoir titles you’ve read that deal with life experiences; trying to better yourself or learning to believe in oneself, so I can add them to my reading list and see if they could be used as comp titles for my college memoir. I truly appreciate all your comments. They help me to move forward with my work.*
I’ll be interested to see how you’ve tackled this month’s question. It’s great having a topic to share our thoughts on each month.
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This post was written for the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. We post on the first Wednesday of every month. To join us, or learn more about the group, click HERE.
It was a recent course on creative writing that made me realise how I’d neglected my reading, and I was hoping to become an author 😊
Hi,
I get such a pick me up when I read a memoir. It is something about the struggles the writer goes through that encourages me to keep going. I read almost all genres and I am so glad I do. They enrich my life.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
You're right – I can't think of any benefits in not reading.
I can't think of any benefit of not reading either. And we do need to know what is working in the genre we write in.
Great points! My writing has benefited so much from reading. I can't imagine any respectable writer advising against reading. How can one truly be inspired to write something great without first developing a love for reading?
I especially like you referring to comp titles. So logical and smart–that one–that it hurts. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I don't understand how a person can write a book if they don't read them, study them, take them apart, compare them. Why be driven to do something so difficult if you don't appreciate literature? At least expose yourself to published works to know what a finished product is.
I'm not sure how the theory that 'not reading' helps writers even should work. We can only learn from others…and the masters. Isn't that why there are apprentices?
I since I started writing seriously I read less but I still manage around 100 books a year. I use to almost double that. I miss the kind of reading I use to do. I don't seem to be to let go like before and submerge completely, but I think that has more to do with life anst than writing. Happy IWSG!
Yes, if you don't read, everything you create would be new. Also, you won't learn technique. There's so much that can be learned through reading. I love reading. Great post!
I believe writers need to be readers. Think positive! You will become the writer you hope to be.
Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
I feel memoirs should enrich the life of the reader in some fashion, Pat. I read most genres, too. I don't enjoy horror or erotica, though.
Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Seriously, Alex. Reading well-written books can only help writers.
Thank you so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you, sir.
Absolutely, Natalie! And we need comp titles if we are going to traditionally publish.
It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your week!
This is so true, Brigitte! Well said. And thank you for your kind words. Thanks for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
Yes, sometimes it does, doesn't it, Anna? It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your week!
Thank you so much, Dawn, for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Everything you have shared is so true. Again, thanks for your note. All best to you!
I can't figure it out either. And yes! We really should learn from "the masters." I know I'm counted as an apprentice. Thanks for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing.
Enjoy your week!
I must admit, Juneta, I read faster before I started writing seriously. Now I read to learn as well as enjoy the story adventure. Of course I don't think I've ever read 100 books in a year. I'm lucky if I get to read before bedtime. Of course that's not counting all the blogs and magazines I read during the day.
Thanks for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. Enjoy your week!
It's not so much that what you create would be new, Michelle. There aren’t too many different plot scenarios. The difference comes in the details you create. It's more like what you create may "seem" new or different to you. But you are absolutely correct in sharing that there is much to be learned through reading.
Thanks for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. I truly appreciate it. Enjoy your week!
Reading helps give us creative ideas. And without reading I suppose we are like still water in a pond!
Yes it does! I love your analogy. Thank you so much for visiting Adventures in Writing and sharing your insight. Enjoy your week!
Your statement, "In other words, the basic framework may be the same, but the details are different", ring true for me. I'm a believer in Joseph Campbell's mono-myth and Jung's universal unconscious as my muse's primary source.
Good for you, Roland! Thanks so much for sharing your insight here at Adventures in Writing. I truly appreciate it. Enjoy your week!
I totally agree with all you’ve written here, Victoria, even the way you perfectly condensed the IWSG question of this month. 🙂 Unfortunately, I can’t offer you any book titles for your comp list, as I haven’t had any time to read and my backlist doesn’t have stories you’re looking for.
No worries, Liesbet. I truly appreciate your kind words. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Thanks so much for your note. Enjoy your weekend!