Read Like a Writer

When new writers ask me how to get started on a writing career, they often tell me that they have an idea for a book. Fantastic! Sometimes finding the right idea is the hardest part. And then they ask me for advice on writing the book.

First, I ask them if they are writing something to be treasured in private, or if they are actually interested in trying to get the story published. If someone is writing for their eyes only, or for dear family and friends, my advice is easy: write from your heart and make sure you say all you have to say. Writing a novel or book for publication is a different matter.

In my opinion, writing for publication starts with reading. You must be able to identify good writing (versus Vogon poetry, as I've mentioned in this post) and know what sells. You must know which publishers are interested in the type of book you're writing.

This starts with book selection. You may want to write a children's book but you have a taste for Tom Clancy. So you put Tom aside and do your children's book research. Find all the current bestsellers and prize-winners in your genre. Check the New York Times Bestseller list. Ask your librarian and bookseller what they can't keep in stock. Immerse yourself in the writing that is selling. Sure, this is some work, but you would have been reading anyway - you're just adding research to the process.

When you read, read once as a consumer and once as a writer. Figure out why this particular book is an award-winner. Even if you don't personally enjoy the book, there is still a reason why thousands of people have purchased it. You must identify what is selling and why it was published. In addition, you must train your brain to consciously analyze good writing. If a passage made you laugh out loud, go back and figure out how the author constructed it. If a scene can make you taste the villain's last meal and how the dust smelled on the back of her neck, stop and pick apart the entire scene. Figure out exactly what the author has done to pull you through chapter after chapter in the middle of the night when you had to get up early in the morning.

You may consider using several highlighters to mark examples of good humor, dialog, description, flashback, etc. These highlights can help you in the future when you're struggling in a particular area. Re-read someone else's excellent writing, and your pump is primed.

Remember, bad writing can happen without effort, but good writing rarely happens by chance.