Hi everyone! This week I’m excited to share a guest post from fellow writer and blogger, Grace Maples. She shares how being a better reader can make you a better writer. If you want to read the guest post I wrote for her on learning to rest, click here. Enjoy!
I was an avid reader before I started writing. I constantly had a book with me, and I was always immersed in some far away world or time period.
When I started writing, my reading only increased. I also began to study the different parts of a book, how to craft characters, and even how to throw plot twists in stories (my personal favorite). With becoming a writer also came some helpful insights that broadened my genre spectrum and taught me to appreciate authors more.
So, what are some tips on how to show your appreciation for authors? How do you become a better reader?
1. Read all different genres
I struggle in this area. It’s tough getting out of my comfort zone when it comes to reading. I want to stick with my favorite authors, my favorite genres, and never come out of my room (okay, people, I’m an introvert, so excuse that).
But, if you want to write better, and also become a better reader, you need to broaden your spectrum. For instance, I mostly write and read historical fiction. So, most days, you wouldn’t find me looking through the shelf of sci-fi or dystopian.
But I’ve started to branch out, and I’ve even found myself liking some dystopian. Weird right? No, that’s a good reader!
2. Be generous with your reviews
Reviews are some of the best things for authors, especially self-published ones. So, when you read a book, and you love it, you want to rate it very high, right? You want to make sure others hear about how amazing this author is, and how her writing style is just so unique and interesting.
But, what if you don’t like it? Do you just go and tear it apart and bash the author?
No, no, no! Being a writer, I can’t imagine how terrible this would feel! Honestly, I have a hard time with critiques anyway, so this would not only hurt me mentally, but also discourage me because people might see that review, and decide not to give my book a try.
We shouldn’t leave a nasty review. We should either not review it, or we should have a review seasoned with grace. A review seasoned with grace means we are allowed to highlight some of the things we didn’t appreciate, but also add all the parts you enjoyed about it. And in no circumstance should you ever bash an author. Personally bashing an author shows extreme immaturity and also that you really aren’t a good reader.
3. When you find a good one, recommend it
It would really help authors a lot for you to get the word out. If you find a book that’s especially good, review it! Rant about it to your friends, recommend it to fellow bibliophiles, get the word out there!
Also, authors really appreciate letters and emails. Consider sending a cute note or a heartfelt message to your favorite author to tell them exactly how much you appreciate their book. You never know just how much it will mean to them!
4. DON’T BEND THE PAGES!!!
Okay, so this one might be a little personal. I really don’t like it when people bend the pages of a book, especially when they’re books they’ve borrowed from me. But, in general, being a good reader includes taking care of your books! Ebook or real, people will appreciate it (okay so maybe not ebooks). But, if you rent a book from the library or borrow one from someone, please be nice to the book. The book will last longer, and more people will appreciate getting to share it.
5. Read them over and over
“No book is really worth reading at the age of ten which is not equally – and often far more – worth reading at the age of fifty and beyond.” – C.S. Lewis
Books aren’t meant to be read just once. What would be the point of that? It would be quite the waste if all we did was read books once. Authors mean for their books to be read for years, even decades! If you find a book you love, I hope you savor it and read it often. I have a couple of my favorite books that I read at least once a year (sometimes even more than that).
Now, I encourage you to put all of these tips into practice today! These tips will help you become smarter, and most importantly, a better reader. The authors, the fellow bookworms, the fangirls, the books, and, most importantly, you will benefit from being a better reader.
Grace Maples is a homeschooled high school student from Knoxville, TN living in East Africa. She adores traveling, writing nonfiction and historical fiction, playing piano and guitar, and reading great books. She and her family are serving on the mission field in East Africa. She loves Jesus, and seeks to glorify Him with her life. You can find her at Proclaiming His Excellencies blogging about her journey with her Savior and her current WIP.
How has reading affected your writing life? What are some of your favorite books that you see influencing how you write? Show Grace some love and let us know in the comments!
Featured image by Fabiola Peñalba