Comments on: How to Read Like a Writer

By: Nelibeth Plaza

Nelibeth Plaza — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 22:43:32 +0000

Was looking for some takes regarding this topic and I found your article quite informative. It has given me a fresh perspective on the topic tackled. Thanks!

By: 4 surefire techniques of HOW TO READ LIKE A WRITER - WORDNAMA

4 surefire techniques of HOW TO READ LIKE A WRITER - WORDNAMA — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 13:50:25 +0000

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By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Nov 2020 21:47:06 +0000

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 02:17:05 +0000

4.5

By: Mux Inger

Mux Inger — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 05:54:02 +0000

I’ve noticed writers (I know several) read books differently because they are looking to steal techniques from the masters rather than find truths. A literature professor friend of mine was surprised by the mercenary nature (his words) of writers’ reactions to great writing when he attended a writer’s weekend recently. Most of the writers I know recognize the “sacred truths” in great writing, but see it as a by product of word play and the imagination. They don’t begin a project thinking, I’m going to tell it how it is. They discover things in their writing much the way readers of their writing do. Flannery O’Connor put it this way: “I write because I don’t know what I think until I read what I say.”

By: Bonnie S Kinney

Bonnie S Kinney — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 23:19:05 +0000

I too like to read an actual book. I always have reference books around for my regular interests like herbal remedies. And then I must have a novel to read even if the only thing available is something I don’t really enjoy. I always read to the end. I normally read a book every week or two but the last one was so boring (I won’t name it) that it took at least three weeks to get through. I have to say I read more analytically when I don’t like the writing. Thanks for the tips.

By: Cathy Thomas-Bryant

Cathy Thomas-Bryant — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:33:18 +0000

In reply to Kristina Adams. I agree wholeheartedly!

By: Kristina Adams

Kristina Adams — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 20:23:22 +0000

In reply to Cathy Thomas-Bryant.

Wow, that’s some serious reading Cathy! I think the Literature degree is more coincidence than anything – those with a Literature degree read more because they have to. The rest of us don’t have to, so most of us these days don’t. I have known writers who don’t believe in reading to improve their craft and this saddens me. It’s truly is reading that makes us better writers.

By: Cathy Thomas-Bryant

Cathy Thomas-Bryant — Thu, 19 Jan 2017 09:19:18 +0000

I’ve read 3-4 books per week since I learned to read. Rain or shine, my mother took us to the library every week, and as I had three siblings and we were allowed four books each, that was a choice of sixteen books per week. I don’t have a literature degree; mine was in philosophy. I think that this might be generational, though. My generation didn’t grow up with the internet and we all read books, so regardless of our field of study we were au fait with literature. My grandfather, who left school at 14, could spell perfectly and use the subjunctive correctly, which is more than most contemporary writers can. Your advice is excellent – it’s just very sad that it’s needed now.