Being a new writer isn’t easy. If you want to significantly improve your writing and learn from successful, published authors, you need to learn how to read like a writer. Reading like a writer means approaching a book from a new perspective, delving deep into its foundations, understanding its creation, and analyzing its structure.
Start with the Right Books
First, seek out books in the genre you are writing or planning to write. Look for those with outstanding reviews, strong sales records, or notable awards. These books set high standards and provide excellent examples to learn from.
Why Genre Matters
Choosing books within your genre helps you understand the specific conventions and expectations that readers have. For example, if you are writing a mystery novel, studying the works of Agatha Christie or Arthur Conan Doyle can teach you about creating suspense and crafting clever twists. Similarly, if you are writing romance, authors like Nora Roberts or Jane Austen can provide insights into developing compelling relationships and emotional arcs.
Case Study: Learning from Genre Masters
Consider the works of J.K. Rowling for fantasy, Stephen King for horror, or John Grisham for legal thrillers. Analyze how these authors build their worlds, create tension, and develop characters. Notice the specific elements that make their books engaging and successful within their genres.
Approach with a Critical Eye
When you study a book, treat it like a class text, but with the freedom to choose your material. Ask your own questions as you read and analyze the text meticulously, like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Developing a Critical Mindset
Start by asking yourself questions about the book’s purpose and effectiveness. Why did the author choose this particular setting? How does the character development serve the story? What themes are being explored, and how are they presented? This level of analysis helps you uncover the underlying mechanics of storytelling.
Practical Exercise: Questioning the Text
Create a list of questions to ask while reading. For example:
- What is the inciting incident, and how does it drive the plot?
- How does the author build tension and maintain suspense?
- What techniques are used to develop characters and relationships?
- How does the setting influence the story’s mood and tone?
Detailed Guide: Reading Like a Writer
Here are some tips to help you read like a writer:
1. Identify Structures
A book’s structure is like a painting’s sketch or a building’s blueprint. It forms the foundation upon which everything else is built. Understanding this is crucial for crafting compelling narratives.
Understanding the Three-Act Structure:
- First Act: Introduces the reader to the novel’s world, characters, and an initial incident leading to the first climax.
- Second Act: Characters face challenges and barriers, leading to escalating actions.
- Third Act: Resolves the story with a final climax and conclusion, tying up loose ends.
Familiarize yourself with different structures and learn to identify them in various books. This skill will help you understand how stories are built and apply these techniques to your writing.
Other Common Structures:
- Hero’s Journey: Popular in fantasy and adventure genres, this structure involves a hero who goes on an adventure, faces a crisis, and returns transformed.
- Freytag’s Pyramid: Divides the story into five parts: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
- In Medias Res: Starting the story in the middle of the action, then using flashbacks to fill in the backstory.
Practical Exercise: Mapping the Structure
Choose a book and map out its structure. Identify the key events in each act and note how the author transitions between them. Understanding the framework will help you see how the plot is constructed and how to build your own stories effectively.
2. Analyze the Characters
Analyze characters by examining their roles, relevance, traits, and conflicts. Think critically about what makes them unique or likable and how their actions drive the story.
Creating Compelling Characters:
- Protagonist: The main character around whom the story revolves. They should be well-developed with clear goals, motivations, and growth.
- Antagonist: The character who opposes the protagonist. They should be complex and have their own believable motivations.
- Supporting Characters: Help to flesh out the story and provide depth. They should have distinct personalities and contribute to the plot.
Case Study: Iconic Characters
Consider characters like Harry Potter, Elizabeth Bennet, or Jay Gatsby. Analyze what makes them memorable. Is it their personal growth, unique voice, or the conflicts they face? Understanding these elements can help you create characters that resonate with readers.
Practical Exercise: Character Analysis
Choose a character from a book and analyze them in depth. Consider their background, personality traits, relationships, and development throughout the story. Take notes on how the author reveals these aspects through actions, dialogue, and inner thoughts.
If you need help crafting compelling characters, make sure to read this article.
3. Notice the Author’s Choices
Dive into the author’s mind by analyzing their decisions. Consider the following:
Understanding Stylistic Choices:
Each author has a unique style that reflects their voice and influences how the story is perceived. Pay attention to:
- Narrative Voice: Is it first-person, third-person, omniscient, or limited? How does this choice affect your connection with the characters and the story?
- Pacing: How does the author control the speed of the story? Are there moments of fast-paced action balanced with slower, reflective scenes?
- Imagery and Symbolism: What images and symbols recur throughout the book? How do they contribute to the themes and mood?
Practical Exercise: Stylistic Analysis
Pick a passage from a book and analyze the author’s stylistic choices. Look at the sentence structure, word choice, and use of literary devices. Reflect on how these choices impact your reading experience and convey the story’s themes.
4. Dissect Memorable Scenes
Identify and dissect scenes that stand out. Re-read them as if you were the author. Analyze what makes them effective—emotions, actions, character dynamics, or narrative style.
Crafting Powerful Scenes:
- Conflict: Central to any engaging scene. What is the source of tension or struggle?
- Emotional Impact: How does the scene make you feel? What techniques does the author use to evoke these emotions?
- Character Interaction: How do characters’ interactions drive the scene? What does it reveal about their relationships?
Case Study: Memorable Scenes
Think about scenes like the opening of “Pride and Prejudice” with Mr. Darcy’s introduction, or the courtroom scene in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Analyze how these scenes are constructed, what makes them memorable, and how they serve the overall narrative.
Practical Exercise: Scene Breakdown
Choose a memorable scene from a book and break it down. Note the elements of conflict, emotion, and character interaction. Reflect on how the scene contributes to the larger story and what you can learn from it to apply in your own writing.
5. Take Notes
Prepare a notebook to jot down your observations. Take notes on main ideas, key elements, impactful sentences, and literary devices used by the author. Note the emotions they provoke and the reasons behind the author’s choices.
Creating a Systematic Approach:
- Annotations: Make notes in the margins or use sticky notes to highlight important passages.
- Summaries: Write brief summaries of each chapter, noting key events and character developments.
- Reflections: Reflect on what you’ve learned and how it can apply to your writing.
Practical Exercise: Note-Taking
As you read, develop a habit of taking detailed notes. This can include character sketches, plot outlines, and reflections on the author’s style. Use these notes as a reference for your own writing projects.
Conclusion
Reading like a writer is a powerful tool. It requires absorbing the experience and understanding the reasoning behind every decision made in a story. By doing so, you can apply these insights to your own writing, enhancing your skills and developing your unique style.
Remember, writers need to read. It’s a crucial part of the learning curve. Learning from those who have mastered the art of storytelling can only help you improve. Embrace this approach, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a better writer.
Final Thoughts:
- Practice Regularly: Make reading like a writer a regular habit. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at analyzing and learning from other writers.
- Join a Book Club: Consider joining a book club with fellow writers. Discussing books with others can provide new insights and perspectives.
- Write Reviews: Writing reviews of the books you read can help solidify your understanding and articulate what you’ve learned.
By reading like a writer, you’re not just enjoying a good story—you’re gaining valuable insights that will make you a better writer. So pick up that book, dive in, and start reading like a writer today.
See you next time!
