Reading and Writing

Over the years I have read quote upon quote from famous writers saying in various ways: Reading is just as important as writing.

It is not until recently that I have realised how true that statement is.
Reading other people's work does a lot for your own creative process; at least, it does for mine.
Reading keeps my mind working, even though it allows me to put down my own stories and get wrapped up in someone else's.

Through immersion in a good book I get to feel the sense of wonder and excitement that I want readers of my work to feel. It is inspiring to read other works and strive toward them, but it can be a challenge to keep writing, when I know I have some very big footprints to follow. Sometimes afraid of falling into the cavernous tread before me, I have come up with ways to keep myself motivated; even after reading any of the many Everests of the book world.

As an aspiring author I know I have to keep writing, and I have a few tricks in my repertoire to keep me doing so, even when I feel uninspired or incredibly intimidated. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation I suggest trying this technique, or any variation of it that you can come up with- bottom line- write.

If you enjoy writing, even just a little, and if you are currently reading a book that has drawn you in already, or perhaps you are still waiting for that pull in the middle of your stomach, either way, if you have a book, stop and try to write a scene from the next chapter.
It is incredibly difficult to create a story from scratch, but with firm knowledge or even a basic grasp of the direction a story is going, or an idea of the characters, you should be able to write a fairly compelling scene.
The scene you choose does not necessarily have to happen in the story, but it should follow the characters and rules of the world outlined by the author thus far. Some sort of action must occur in this scene, even if it is as basic as going out to fetch a pail of water, or feeding chickens.
This challenge is purely imaginative, how far can you push your imagination with someone else's characters and world, without tossing the pre-described rules out the proverbial window?

If you do not want to encounter the possibility of "ruining" upcoming story lines, then pick a chapter or scene you have already read, something that you found unsatisfying. First identify why it was unsatisfying to you (make note of the reason, so you do not repeat the problem yourself) then rewrite the scene to your specifications.

You can do this challenge with a movie; rewrite a scene, or exchange between characters.

If you want to make the challenge of writing a scene more difficult, then try to emulate the original author's style of writing. In the past I have found this to be extremely challenging, however, what I learn from it makes it worth the time.

I know writers who are less intrigued by novel writing than they are about blogging, or journalism. For those of you who fall into this category you might consider writing a review of a book, chapter,  character, whichever you find most suited to your needs and interests.
I have one friend who has been writing summaries of chapters as he reads a long series of novels.
Summaries, reviews, blogs or fake articles about "current events" within a fictional world are all wonderful ways to keep you writing and improving your skills.

**Please note** All of this goes for the real world as well. If you enjoy writing blogs- then write blogs. If you like writing articles- then write articles about actual current events that appeal to you.

Keep on writing.

Although there are many days that pass without me writing a blog post, there are very few days in the year where I am not seated at my computer with cats on my lap, on in a chair with a pen and paper trying desperately to translate all the scenes I see in my head, into words on paper.
I write all the time. I write even when I have nothing to write on.
When I am unable to fall asleep I write myself dreams to drift into.
Sitting in a coffee shop, I write backgrounds for the caffeine enthusiasts surrounding me.

Although my writing is not always of great calibre, I learn every time I write, even if it is simply to stop spelling "in front" as "infront" (seriously... I do it ALL the time.)

Coaches tell their teams that practice makes perfect, and then you get to practice playing a sport. English teachers say to write all the time, so they give us homework. Well if you were like me, you liked to go out an play, rather than do homework. If my teachers had presented me with various ways to keep writing, with ways to "play" with the craft, I think I would have been a much better student.

Keep sharpening your pencils!

-Brandolyn

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