Read More and You'll Write Better

Great writers read to learn.

It's not just a cute quote the masters of the craft recite to get you to buy their books and follow their blogs. It’s a necessity. The art of writing improves through practice and study.

Writers have no paints, colors, or fabric; we have words, language, and imagination. That’s all we need, really.?

When you read the words in print and notice how the author strings sentences together to create a feeling, a tone, an action; patterns emerge.

Flow emerges.

Voice emerges.

You start to see beyond WHAT is written to HOW it was written. How every word, every sentence, every paragraph, and chapter are intricately weaved into a tapestry that works (or doesn't).

You analyze the writer’s choices. It’s like high school English class, only no one is grading you.

Reading is how you learn to be a better writer. It’s how you discover the art of writing, from your favorite authors to poorly written novels, ads, and blog posts. ?

Here’s how it works:

1. Read all sorts of things.
2. Jot down what works and what doesn’t.
3. Keep your favourite phrases, writing techniques, and observation in a swipe file.
4. Allow yourself to be inspired by the authors you read.
5. Apply any techniques you've learned by writing something.

You can become a better writer. It's not impossible.