On reading like a writer.

I haven’t been writing much lately as I’ve been working to finalize some sort of writing schedule. It’s proving difficult since I spend most of my time traveling to and from my sister’s house from my parents’ house to help with Maddie’s care. Luckily, I always remember what my hero Stephen King wrote in his memoir On Writing:

If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut … If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.

Stephen King

So although I haven’t been able to write, I’ve been able to read. Specifically, I’ve been reading and annotating the book Reading Like a Writer: A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them. I’m about 25% through the book and I am finding it invaluable. It’s helping me not only with my craft but with my teaching career as well. The first chapter is all about Close Reading. Prose explains that she learned how to write by writing and by example, by reading great writers. I remember I caught some flack online not too long ago because I posted an article about the problem with only reading young adult novels. My reasoning, and the reasoning presented in the article, is similarly presented and validated by Prose. The only way to grow as a reader and a writer, and the two are inextricably linked, is to challenge yourself. You have to read and write A LOT, just like King advises.

Prose goes on to explain the advantages of reading masterpieces. She writes, “…reading a masterpiece can inspire us by showing us how a writer does something brilliantly.” It’s important to read whatever you want, but serious readers and writers should make an effort to read the brilliant classics to better themselves. It’s important to pay attention while you’re reading to every single word on the page. That will help you better discern the writer’s choices, which in turn will improve your choices as a writer.

The second chapter is dedicated to Words. Prose warns, “… it’s surprising how easily we lose sight of the fact that words are the raw material out of which literature is crafted.” Writing may start with an idea, but it’s executed as its most basic level: with words. It may seem a daunting task, but Prose recommends evaluating every single word on each and every page, understanding their purpose and arriving at the answer to a particular question: why that word?

The third chapter covers Sentences. Words form sentences, so they’re the next basic building block writing. Prose prefers complex, flowery sentences but also readily acknowledges that simple sentences can be profound and beautiful. She writes, “The well-made sentence transcends time and genre. A beautiful sentence is a beautiful sentence, regardless of when it was written, or whether it appears in a play or a magazine article.” If a beautiful sentence can be long or short, simple or complex, in a magazine or a novel, then how do we know a sentence is beautiful?

READ IT ALOUD.

Every creative writing teacher I have ever had has implored me to read my work aloud when editing, and I am no exception.

Miracle Maddie

Maddie Girl had her second rounds of PT and OT this week and she did great! She’s working so hard! Maddie Girl was OUTSTANDING at her alternative therapy today! She impressed Kristie, her therapist, A LOT! We’re so very proud of our warrior princess and she responds so well to this alternative therapy.

And because she’s been responding so well to therapies, her home care has been easier to facilitate and we’re seeing more improvements! Maddie was rewarded with a relaxing weekend. She definitely enjoyed her three-day weekend and she’s got a busy couple of days coming up with appointments, so she’s soaking up some sun while she can.

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