What Writers Can Learn From Reading Fiction

Not all readers are writers, but all writers should be readers.

If you're a writer I'm going to assume that you also like to read books. 

Bold of me to assume it, but I'm making the claim and I'm sticking to it. 

Of course, you don't have to like reading to be a writer, but I will admit I'm a bit confused about your choice of career.

If you're a writer that is so focused on writing and improving your craft that you don't have time to read, then you are missing out on one of the best tools you have at your disposal to improve your writing.

It's a free tool that can be found down at your local library or on the discount shelves of a local book store if you don't mind spending a few dollars for it.

Reading is a free and/or cheap tool at your disposal to be the best writer you can be.

What Writers Can Learn From Reading Fiction

Reading gives the benefits of: 

and 

• Reduced Stress (depending on the book) 

Reading can teach writers more about writing than they would learn from any writing class. 

There is a reason almost every book you read on writing will say the most important thing you can do as a writer is to read. 

It's because reading is the most important thing you can do as a writer.

I'm being a bit repetitive, but you can expect to read this line one or two more times before you reach the end of this article. 

So what exactly can writers learn from reading fiction?

I'm glad you asked.

By reading fiction writers will ultimately learn how to write fiction by observing proper formatting in real-time.

Have you been writing a few pages in your novel and you're not sure when you should be hitting the enter key to break up the paragraphs?

By reading your brain will automatically start filling these breaks in for you when the timing seems right. 

You will also be able to learn the basics of story structure and plot development. By reading works within the genre you're writing, you'll get a sense of how fast the actions in the novel take place and you can use this information when spacing out the events in your novel. 

Reading we'll teach writers how to find their narration style and character voice.

Think of reading as a writer's unpaid internship. 

Nobody is making you do it and nobody is going to pay you to do it and you have to find time to do it around your already busy life and a full-time job, but it'll help give you the tools you need to succeed in the field you wish to make a career in. 

Reading is the most important thing you can do as a writer… besides write.

Keep writing and keep reading.

With love, 

B.K. xo

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