Reading to improve writing

How can reading sharpen writing skills?

1. Read with a pen. When phrases or words jump off the page, I write them down in a notebook which later I’ll refer to for inspiration. I look for sharp imagery or words that heighten the reader’s senses. These phrases captured my attention from The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate:  twiggy bare legs… curiosity nibbles as I slog off across the backyard…wavering song…not one thin idea…
2. Read slowly. Catch how authors convey characters’ moods. More examples from The Book of Lost Friends: A hopeful pitter-patter rises in my throat… “Suit yourself.” Her tone adds, Your funeral.
3. Study structure and rhythm. When a passage grabs my attention, I dissect sentence structures and absorb the rhythm and style. Inspired by a passage from The Once and Future King, Author L.M Helms analyzed it and wrote his own descriptive scene for a locomotive in his book Spirit Walker. You’ll want to check out his western novel: http://www.lmhelm.com

From T.H. White, The Once and Future King: At a military tattoo perhaps, or at some old piece of show-ground pageantry, you may have seen a cavalry charge. If so, you know that “seen” is not the word. It is heard—the thunder, earth-shake, drum-fire, of the bright and battering sandals! Yes, and even then it is only a cavalry charge you are thinking of, not a chivalry one. Imagine it now, with the horses twice as heavy as the soft-mouthed hunters of our own midnight pageants, with the men themselves twice heavier on account of arms and shield. Add the cymbal-music of the clashing armour to the jingle of the harness. Turn the uniforms into mirrors, blazing with the sun, the lances into spears of steel. Now the spears dip, and now they are coming. The earth quakes under feet. Behind, among the flying clods, there are hoof-prints stricken in the ground. It is not the men that are to be feared, not their swords nor even their spears, but the hoofs of the horses. It is the impetus of that shattering phalanx of iron—spread across the battlefront, inescapable, pulverizing, louder than drums, beating the earth.

From L.M. Helm, Spiritwalker: At a fairground, perhaps, or at some old out-of-the-way museum with blocked gutters, you may have seen a steam locomotive in action. If so, you know that “seen” is not the word. It is heard: the roar, metal-scream, deep bellow of the huge black monster! Yes, and even then it is only a locomotive you are thinking of, not an entire train. Imagine it now, the wheels nearly as tall as you, forged of heavy steel, and balanced on just two and a half inches of rail. Add the booming chug of the hot pistons to the musical wail of the whistle. Add cars packed with people, animals, goods, and weapons as far as you can see, like some endless snake. Now the smoke billows, black and heavy. The driving wheels turn—slip!—catch. The cars lurch, banging together, making thunder. The earth rumbles under the weight of all those elements—steel, fire, water, iron, copper, wood, tar, and coal congealed into one unstoppable mass—hurtling, driving, louder than Niagara, heavier than a mountain.

Reading can refuel creativity and sharpen writing skills. Next time you’re engaged with a page-turner, ask yourself, “What makes this book hard to put down?” Learn. Be inspired. Let your reading improve your writing.

Please share your tips for reading and writing below!

Gretchen Carlson