Reading as a writer
We are big believers in the importance of reading as writers. We have talked about it many times before, such as in this blog, but are there any pitfalls? Of course there are, nothing is perfect.
Before we begin, it is important to reinforce the fact that we still believe that reading is crucial for writers. Without extensive reading on wide range of topics, and of a selection of genres, it is impossible to write well. You can’t understand how to write what others will want to read unless you read. Reading is how you learn the language of books-and yes that is different to the language we speak. It is important to understand the structure, and format, of a book and, we encourage you to read widely in the genre which you are writing. This way you unconsciously absorb the unwritten rules of what makes a great book.
What is the creativity trap?
It’s simple then, to be a great writer you need to be a veracious reader? Well, yes, but we do have some words of caution. There are a few things to consider, around the subject of reading, when you are actively writing.
Preserve your author voice
It is so easy to immerse yourself in the works of amazing authors who write in your genre, and accidentally lose yourself in their voice. Readers will choose your books because they want to hear your words and your voice, don’t fall into the trap of borrowing another author’s style. (read more about finding your author voice)
Avoid intimidation
Reading a book in the same genre as you are writing, while you are writing your book, can zap your creativity. We have spoken to many writers who have told us that they have to be careful which books they read while they are writing their book. It is so easy to feel intimidated by the quality of other authors’ writing, and, consequently, find yourself stuck in a state of self doubt and fear. Our inner critic tells us that we will never be able to write anything as brilliant as the book we are reading. This is a much more common issue than you might think.
The inverse
Sometimes the opposite can be true, in that when we begin to write and really look at the finer details of the craft, it can actually spoil our enjoyment of reading. Whenever we put anything creative under a microscope it rarely fares well. It is important to remember that there are no rules with writing, and while some approaches definitely work better than others, this is your book, no-one else’s and it can be whatever you choose. Try not to over think the process, and please don’t allow becoming an author to destroy your love of reading-that is too high a price to pay.
What’s the solution then?
Our first piece of advice to help you avoid the creativity trap is to read bad books. Yes you read that right, there’s logic to it, stay with us. Reading badly written books will give you hope that you can be published, it will immediately banish the self doubt demon and give you a surge of energy and positivity towards your own writing. This strategy also allows you to look at what makes the book so bad so that you can avoid these pitfalls. We have been known to abandon books early doors because the choice of character names was just so cliché, or because the writing style is just so clunky.
Reading a very different style of book is also a great strategy. Perhaps you are writing a memoir, stop reading memoirs and start reading fantasies, historical fiction or thrillers. That way you are reading a very different style of writing to the one you are creating. It allows you to escape into both the world you are reading and the world you are writing, without comparison.
Work on your mindset. If reading other great works is making you feel inferior, that isn’t about what you are reading, it is about how you feel about your writing. Take some time to work on that. One of the hardest things to do is to say out loud that you are a writer. Most of us struggle with owning that title. It somehow feels too grand and presumptuous. Why not start by journalling about why reading this book is making you feel the way it does about your writing. You might be surprised by what appears on the page. Often there are long forgotten messages and comments that we have locked away, but which are still haunting us without our knowledge.
Take time to really get to the bottom of your own insecurities and your writing will thank you for it. Only when we are completely ourselves, and free from fear, can we create our best work. Seeing Elif Shafak speak a couple of weeks ago, one of the biggest take aways was that when she stopped writing in her native Turkish, she felt free to truly express herself without the same levels of fear of persecution. These are the levels some writers have to go to in order to truly release their creativity. Whatever it is that is holding you back, face your fears, your writing deserves the best, most fearless version of you.
The final option, if you are still struggling with this creativity trap-but this is not one that we could contemplate ourselves-is stopping reading, but only while you are writing. The easiest way for many writers to remove this trap is to stop reading while they are actively writing. If you love reading then this is probably too difficult, but it is a possible solution so we had to mention it.
Can you relate to any of the feelings we have mentioned? Perhaps you have felt the creative spirit leave you as you read certain book or authors? Maybe you have found yourself imitating another author’s writing style after reading their book, either consciously or unconsciously. All these things are certainly things to be aware of as a writer.
Remember, your book will be perfect because it is your book, your voice, your style, your content. You never need to copy anyone else, learn from the experts but then put all the information through that magical computer that is your brain and allow it to come out in words that only you could have put together.
“Reading, after a certain age, diverts the mind too much from its creative pursuits. Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.”
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