Reading as a Writer: Why the Act of Writing Changes How You Read
Anne Lamott on the Power of Words to Build Connection, See Deeply, and Celebrate What Books Can Teach Us
We’ve all heard the advice that reading makes you a better writer—probably to the point of nausea. But what about the value of writing in making you a better reader?
In Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott shares her thoughts on how writing makes you a better reader, how reading and writing can decrease feelings of isolation, and why books matter.
Additional articles linked in this post:
If you press this button, all your dreams will come true. Or maybe it’s all of my dreams that will come true. I can’t remember which. Press it and find out.
Why Writing Makes You A Better Reader
“One reads with a deeper appreciation and concentration, knowing now how hard writing is, especially how hard it is to make it look effortless. You begin to read with a writer’s eyes. You focus in a new way. You study how someone portrays his or her version of things in a way that is new and bold and original. You notice how a writer paints in a mesmerizing character or era for you, without your having the sense of being given a whole lot of information, and when you realize how artfully this has happened, you may actually put the book down for a moment and savor it, just taste it.”
Writing allows us to see the effort and skill that goes into crafting a story. It teaches us to appreciate the nuances of language and the ways writers create engaging narratives. As we read, we begin to notice the techniques that make a story compelling, leading us to enjoy the experience on a deeper level.
See also: "Read Terrible Books" Stephen King's Advice for Writers
Why Books Matter
“For some of us, books are as important as almost anything else on earth. What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you. Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”
See also: Susan Sontag on the importance of reading for writers
How Reading and Writing Decrease Feelings of Isolation
“Writing and reading decrease our sense of isolation. They deepen and widen and expand our sense of life : they feed the soul. When writers make us shake our heads with the exactness of their prose and their truths, and even make us laugh about ourselves or life, our buoyancy is restored. We are given a shot at dancing with, or at least clapping along with, the absurdity of life, instead of being squashed by it over and over again. It’s like singing on a boat during a terrible storm at sea. You can’t stop the raging storm, but singing can change the hearts and spirits of the people who are together on that ship.”
See also: Ursula K. Le Guin: Storytelling, Language, and the Shaping of Identity
Thanks for reading! If you want access to the full archive, consider upgrading to a paid subscription. You can also help me grow by sending this to a friend. Thanks, and see you next time!