Reading as a Writer

            I learned to read when I was five years old. Ever since then, I’ve rarely returned from the library without an armful of books, and if I’m given the whole day, I will read an entire book. Books whisk me away to new worlds, and certain books affect me differently. Some like Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women are my comfort books, while others like Jennifer A. Nielsen’s Traitor’s Game are my inspirations. My dream is to write in my own little library with bookshelves for walls and a cozy reading nook in the corner.

            One of the reasons why I decided to become a writer is because of my love for books (and movies, of course). I have such a vivid imagination that I’ve lost many hours of sleep plotting books or imagining scenes. When I read a new book that excites me, I’m inspired to take certain elements of it and weave my own story.

            Something I’ve learned as a writer is that we are supposed to read books. New York Times bestselling author Jerry Jenkins says that we should read at least 200 books in the genre we write in. When we read, we research what should be in our genre, study how the author presents the story, and find our own inspiration.

            Who knew a little hobby such as reading could be so useful?

Researching the market

            Whenever I spend the day reading, I claim that I am doing research. Besides, I purposefully search for the most popular YA sci-fi/fantasy books so I know what readers like. In a query letter, we’re also supposed to provide some research, so I’m just doing what I’m supposed to do!

            Jokes aside, reading really does help you study the market. Certain books are popular for a reason, whether it’s because of the writing, characters, or themes. The only way for us to figure out why those books are popular is to read them.

            And I don’t mean just reading one or two. Read as many as you are comfortable with. I avoid certain authors because I know the themes of their books don’t match my values. But other than those, I read every popular YA book I can get my hands on. Books like The Cruel Prince (Tahereh Mafi), Shadow and Bone (Leigh Bardugo), and, my new favorite book, Powerless (Lauren Roberts) are all amazing books that have thousands, if not millions, of readers. I’ve been able to pinpoint certain aspects of each book that tell me why they’re huge in the market.

            Once you research what the market currently looks for, you can incorporate some of those aspects into your writing. For example, I’ve noticed that most of the popular YA books are written in first person present. That’s currently what the market is looking for, so I’ve integrated that into my book.

            It’s also a good idea to read more recent books too. The market changes, so it’s important to keep up with it. I’m not saying you should change your book every time you notice a shift. But it’s important to realize the patterns so you know what works and what readers are absolutely tired of.

Studying the writing

            When I first read Lauren Roberts’ Powerless, I was astounded by her writing. The descriptions were beautiful and vivid, and even if the plot were boring (which it wasn’t), I would’ve stayed hooked by just reading her writing. Every description and every action scene demonstrated her talent for writing.

            By reading books from other authors, we experience what kind of writing attracts readers’ attention. The type of writing depends on the audience, which is why it’s important to read lots of books in your genre and audience. I’ve noticed certain inspirational adult books are more to-the-point and rigid (maybe rigid isn’t the right word, but I can’t think of a better one, haha). Meanwhile, every description in YA fantasy is magical and elaborate, meant to whisk you away into a world of magic and fairies.

            Reading and paying attention to good writing can also improve your own. It can expand your vocabulary and show you what types of literary devices can season your manuscript. You can feel the flow of the story, learn how dialogue and description work, and find new ways to write action. If we aren’t studying writing from successful authors, how are we supposed to know how to write?

Finding inspiration

            I love it when I’m inspired to write after finishing reading a good book. I have so many new character and plot ideas that I just want to jump into writing an entirely new series. Reading is a good way to find inspiration if you’re stuck or if you’re searching for more ideas to include in your book. It can be a theme, a setting, or a character trait. No matter what you read, something may catch your eye.

            Reading a book may also motivate you to continue your own. You see an example of an author’s success and want it for yourself. Or perhaps the author communicated a message well, and you want to tell the world your own. Sometimes when I’m finished reading a book, I want to dive into my own so I can see it on bookshelves too.

            If you’re like me, reading inspired you to become a writer. Whether your vivid imagination keeps you awake at night or you have notebooks of story ideas, it will be difficult to write your story without reading what others are reading. As with anything, we must do research, but at least this kind of research is fun!

Bibliography

Jerry B. Jenkins. jerryjenkins.com