Like most writers, I love to read.
I read widely and honestly believe that everything I read helps me become a better writer. As Stephen King says in his wonderful book On Writing (paraphrasing): those who do not read don’t have the necessary tools or equipment to write.
Good writing depends on your ability to adopt the right ‘voice’ for a particular audience. If you read widely, you’ll start to assimilate different authors’ styles.
I believe these stay with you even once the content of the book itself is forgotten. And, like a character actor, when a piece of writing requires a particular ‘voice’, you’ll be able to rummage around your repertoire and pull out the one that’s needed.
So – if you want to become a better writer, become a better reader.
Read anything and everything. Don’t let a brochure or piece of junk mail pass you by without analysing it and deciding how you would have approached it. But also dive into business, sci-fi, theology, self-development … anything that takes your fancy.
Don’t be unwilling to try something new. You needn’t let the fellas at the gym know you’re reading Chick Lit. And just because you’re an atheist, it doesn’t mean that you can’t benefit from dipping into the Bible now and again.
Only by reading will you come to appreciate – and love – the rhythm and cadence of words. It will make you a better writer, too.
If you’re a freelance writer, your livelihood depends on words. So make sure you’re not short of them.
