One of the best ways to improve your writing is to read everything you can get your hands on.
Chances are you’re already doing this. It seems that people interested in writing also are avid readers. If you haven’t developed a reading habit, you should.
Books, newspapers, magazines, blogs… it doesn’t matter what you read, as long as you read.
You will discover best and worst writing practices by consuming a variety of materials. Reading also helps build your creativity, reduces stress and exercises your brain muscle. I am a strong proponent of reading every day because of these and other benefits.
Finding things you love to read makes it easier to adopt the habit. I enjoy reading academically, but I also read a lot for pleasure. I read “things that make me smarter and those that do not.” Both types of readings help me grow as a person, writer and scholar.
A lack of time seems to be one of the most common reasons that people who love to read don’t. But there are a lot of small ways to make more time to read. In fact, I previously wrote about 11 ways to make more time to read. Just practicing a few of those methods will help you make time to read every day.
Let’s Talk Nerdy!
How do you make time to read? What have you read lately that you recommend to us?
chattyprof says
I agree, Kenna, wholeheartedly! I read every single day… anything I can. I even include my People and Entertainment Weekly as important reading… just as much as my novels, non-fiction, and academic fare. I have a 9 y/o and I have to struggle to get her to read, but recently she showed some interest in chapter books that she “loves.” I bought her several and I’m hopeful that we’ll turn a corner this summer where her intrinsic love of reading will kick in like mine has. Let’s hope! 🙂 Ellen
profkrg says
@chattyprof I have always loved to read, but I find that many kids my daughter’s age don’t. I sometimes wonder if it’s a result of that AR reading program. Do you have that? The kids have to read books at a certain level and earn a set number of points during the academic year. When I was growing up, we were just told by our teachers to read. We did it because we were told, and we learned to like it. Now it’s been made into a competition or a game, and I think it’s supposed to be fun. My experience in talking to my daughter and her friends is that it just makes reading stressful. Instead of “getting lost” in a book, they think about how much more they need to read to meet their goal.
This concludes my diatribe about the reading system. 😉
Thanks for your comment, Ellen.
chattyprof says
Hi, again! I don’t know what the reading program is–ack, what kind of mother am I? Brenna has to read 30 minutes a day. She is in 3rd grade. She has to log the 30 minutes. Just recently, I was told that she has to do the reading. I can’t read to her any more, which, of course, was a loss to both of us, but I realized that Brenna was really using it as a crutch. During the school day, I know they have dedicated quiet reading time in class, which would be stressful for me (I mean the “forced reading” around other people–not quiet time in the day to read–that would be a dream!). Yes, I’m agreeing with you that it sort of beats the love of reading out of them. I’m hoping my daughter can find it. Remember those chapter books that she wanted so badly? Well, I nailed her this morning for skimming and then writing down on her log that she read thoroughly. Grr. Then I had to go back and have her read again. Not good! In the meanwhile, I’m without a book right now–and without a People or EW–and I’m feeling very “off”!!! I had to resort to Real Simple last night, which was fine :-). @profkrg
profkrg says
@chattyprof I’m not sure how my kids would feel about logging their reading. Either way, why are they forcing it? My guess? Bad parenting. If parents don’t encourage their kids to read, the schools have to make them. I mean, after all, how else will they keep up those test scores and get gov’t money? Ugh. Our system is broken!
I’m reading Wife 22. I’m really enjoying it. It’s summer trash. You should check it out.
Kenna
chattyprof says
@profkrg I love summer trash! I’m going to check out that book! Something that may warm your heart: Last week, Brenna’s class took a field trip. She got her first library card. We’ll see what this does to her motivational reading. Also, her teacher suggested that she start up some book clubs with her friends this summer. She sort of liked the “snack and prize” aspect of that program–and no logging :-). Ellen @chattyprof
profkrg says
@chattyprof I finished Wife 22 this morning. I loved it! It was really creative. One of the better “pleasure” books I’ve read in awhile, writing-wise.
I’m so happy that Brenna got a library card! Zane loves going to the library. Of course, like me, my family would rather go to the bookstore. I’m not sure what the kids get out of owning books, but I just love marking mine up.
Kenna
MelissaVenable says
Helpful post – and encouragement to not only keep at it, but shake up my list a bit. Some of the best pieces of advice I received when I started working as a writer/blogger included starting a fresh blog/rss reader/rss and scheduling as much time for reading as for writing. It doesn’t work out that way every week, but it makes a noticeable difference when I start researching new ideas. One of my latest additions is the Brain Pickings blog – http://www.brainpickings.org/ – “… separating the signal from the noise to bring you things you didn’t know you were interested in until you are.” Definitely recommend.
profkrg says
@MelissaVenable Thanks for reading and commenting, Melissa. I agree that it’s easy to get lost in the mass of what is available for us to read today. However, I try to look at it as a positive thing that we have so much access. I just dive in and read everything I can.
LauLau81 says
Some of the best pieces of advice I received when I started working as a writer/blogger included starting a fresh blog/rss reader/rss and scheduling as much time for reading as for writing. Thanks for sharing your site.
fergusonsarah says
This is really so true.. Reading is very important especially when you are a writer because it can enhance your vocabulary and broaden your knowledge..
Julia19 says
I bought her several and I’m hopeful that we’ll turn a corner this summer where her intrinsic love of reading will kick in like mine has.
ella119 says
I even include my People and Entertainment Weekly as important reading… just as much as my novels, non-fiction, and academic fare.
BertCarson says
Kenna,
Great post.
Thanks,
Bert
mhorton92586 says
I totally agree. As a leader, I read everything I can on the
subjects of leadership, motivation, and influence. I then blog about
the things that I read to make sure that it sinks in and I can apply it
to my situation. I can also go back and reread my notes later. It’s a
great process! Check it out at
http://motivationalschoolleadership.blogspot.com
Mike
profkrg says
mhorton92586 I love everything about reading. I also encourage you to read outside of your “comfort zone.”
Thanks for reading and commenting, Mike.
profkrg says
BertCarson Thanks, Bert. Readers are leaders, right?