By Karen Cioffi
If you want to be a writer, one of the most important things you can do is READ.
So what exactly does that mean, to read?
Read in the Genre You Want to Write
I’ve written about this a number of times. If you want to write, especially for children, you need to read in the genre you want to write.
I did this when I first started out.
When I began writing for children, I went to my local library and got book after book after book on the genre I wanted to write in. The books were by different authors and even publishers.
I studied each book:
- How the dialogue was written and how it was punctuated.
- What type of storylines were used.
- How the conflict was constructed.
- How the text and illustrations worked together.
- The timeframe of the stories.
- How the story was resolved.
- Who the publishers were.
- And so on.
This type of studying is reading as a writer and is a writing course in itself.
But, it’s not enough.
Read About Writing
You also need to read about writing.
There are lots and lots of online sources to help you learn to write.
Read online articles on sites like:
Writer’s Digest
https://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs
Good Story Company
https://www.goodstorycompany.com/blog
Word Play
https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/
This site, of course: Writers on the Move
And for a much bigger list, check out:
http://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/diy/resources-for-writers/
Along with this, you should invest in books on writing, especially books that will teach you how to write in the genre you want to write.
Books that I have include:
Bird by Bird (Anne Lamott)
Second Sight (Cheryl B. Klein)
Story Engineering (Larry Brooks)
Writing Fiction (Gotham Writer’s Workshop)
The Modern Writer’s Workshop (Stephen Koch)
Crafting Scenes (Raymond Obstfeld)
Hooked (Les Edgerton)
Breathing Life Into Your Characters (Rachel Ballon, Ph.D.)
The Writer’s Guide to Psychology (Carolyn Kaufman, Psy. D.)
On Writing (Stephen King)
The Giblin Guide to Writing Children’s Books
Find recommended books and books in the genre you want to write. Study them carefully.
Writing Groups
Find one or two groups in the genre you want to write and join them.
These groups are usually filled with seasoned writers, along with newbies.
Many of them also have editors, publishers, and agents in them.
Read the questions asked by other members and the responses. This is another great way to get a writing education. And you'll have the opportunity to ask your own questions.
If you’re a children’s writer, I suggest Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. It’s filled with writers, marketers, and others in the writing field who know what they’re doing.
Online and Offline Classes
This is an important step.
While you can read and study, which will give you a great start, it doesn’t take the place of learning from a professional writer/author.
Invest in time, effort, and even money if necessary to learn how to write. Invest in you and your writing career. It’s the best way to become a successful writer.
This article was originally published at:
https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/2017/08/13/read-as-a-writer/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen’s children’s books include Walking Through Walls and The Case of the Stranded Bear. She also has a DIY book, How to Write Children’s Fiction Books. You can check them out at: https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com/karens-books/.
If you need help with your children’s story, visit: https://karencioffiwritingforchildren.com.
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8 comments:
Thank you, Karen!
Your article is helpful, thorough, and key to our progress/success as writers.
I greatly appreciate the tips and references.
Karen, your article is chock full of terrific advice. It's a good reminder to keep reading books on writing as well as reading books in our genre, and for fun, too.
Deborah, I'm glad the article is helpful. From some of the books I see, this is an important message.
Linda, it is necessary for all writers to keep honing their skills. It's also a good idea to read in other genres and for fun. When I was first learning to write for children, focusing on children's books helped a lot.
Thank you for this reminder and including resources that we can check out. Very informative. It's good to see ther resoure books othere have in their personal library.
Karen,
Thank you for this important encouragement to be reading in different areas. As an editor, I often ask writers what they are reading--and I'm looking for them to answer that they read what they are writing (novels, nonfiction, children's books, etc). If not, it becomes a warning about what they are submitting--yes it is that important.
Terry
author of Book Proposals That $ell, 21 Secrets To Speed Your Success (Revised Edition)
Terry, I'm glad you brought up just how important it is to read in the genre you're writing. Studying the genre you're writing in shows you're focused.
Angela, sorry that I just saw your comment. I'm so glad you found the article informative. And thanks for stopping by, and especially for commenting!
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