Friday, April 20, 2012

A-Z Challenge: R is for Reading

R is for Reading

I'm sure you've heard it multiple times: a writer must also be a reader. I don't think it matters what you read, although some people say you should become an expert in whichever genre you want to write.

To me, simply the act of devouring any and all books is powerful.

When I was teaching middle school, I enforced ten minutes of silent reading at the start of each class (it helps that I was teaching Language Arts). The observant kids noticed how many books I would go through in a week, and they were always astounded. What they didn't notice was that some of their classmates were reading even more than me, and I have no doubt that one day I'll see some familiar names on books.

As a child, I read all the time. I counted up my books and attempted to catalog them (a precursor to my career as a librarian, I suppose). I remember the pride I felt when my childhood book collection surpassed 500.

Whenever my family traveled, I read in the back seat of the car long after sunset. I got really good at holding the book up so I could catch the passing streetlights. My dad was convinced I would go blind.

I read for pleasure. Sure, I read in my genre, but I also read books that friends recommend, or that end up on various awards lists. I read random titles that my husband grabs on impulse at the library. For me, reading is an escape, but it's also a crash course in craft.

The more I've written, the more I've found myself analyzing plot and character when I'm reading something for fun. It can be annoying, but at the same time, I feel like I'm continuously learning from the best. In turn, I've noticed changes in my writing that have gradually crept in the more conscious of the words of others I've become. It's a spiral of growth, and I am so glad that, for whatever reason, I discovered the joys of reading at a young age. It's a love affair that's never cooled, and never will.

Visit the challenge blog to cheer on the other alphabetical bloggers.

Why do you read? What's your favorite book-related memory? What do you read?

8 comments:

  1. I can't remember *not* reading! :)

    I think if I didn't read, I would probably go insane--and I'm not even saying that to be funny. I need the escape that reading gives. Life gets too crazy sometimes, and I need the break from it.

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    1. Dana, I agree. Books are the best escape!

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  2. Honestly, reading isn't something I started enjoying until a few years ago. Of course there were books that I enjoyed growing up, but I can't say that I ever actually ever looked forward to relaxing with a book until recently.

    That being said, now that I am into blogging, I am spending much of my free time reading my favorite blogs and finding new ones rather than reading books. But I think it is a good trade!

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    1. Hey, it's never too late to do something amazing! Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

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  3. Like yourself, I read plenty in my younger years; I would spend a Saturday laying on my bed with snacks and I could finish three books by the end of the day(my sister would do the same in the room next door).

    Half of my reading time, these days, I consider 'course study'. I think because I wasn't able to take all of the classes that I wanted to, babies came early. Anyway, speaking of, my ten year old is reading Jack London and the eight year is inside of The Secret Garden. I'm currently reading Tolstoy and Jeannette Winterson's The Passion.

    p.s.~I guessed that 'R' would be reading. ;)

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    1. Whew! Your house has much higher reading ambitions than mine. Although, I would sort of love to be eight and reading The Secret Garden for the first time again: one of my favorite books!

      Can you guess what Z will be? :)

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  4. I just read on a blog a few days ago a newly published writer had no time to read. I thought that was sad! I understand newly published means probably a lot of new responsibilities,and maybe it doesn't allow for *much* reading time, but I can't imagine not reading at all. Even just a few years ago I might have only read 10 book for a whole year, but now that I'm focused on writing, reading is my #2 priority (beyond writing). Also, I love books!

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    1. That is really depressing...hopefully, that doesn't have to be our reality! Thanks for posting :)

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