To Read or Not To Read about Writing, That Is the Question
With all the books and articles published about how to write,
one wonders why every want-to-be-author isn't published. Some
people think the profusion of reading material dealing with how
and why to write is no more than money makers for the authors.
Others believe that the articles and books boost one's ability
to be a better writer.
In his own book on writing, Novelist Abresch (Bloody Bonsai),
who has been writing fiction for 30 years, dismisses most
writing manuals as being too hard to read. Connie C. Epstein,
The Art of Writing for Children states, "One way to find
your place among the endless dichotomies of purpose, process,
and method that exist in the minds of writers is to read the
many clashing viewpoints out there about how, and why, to write.
Read them, and form your own opinions. The point is not just to
grow a manuscript. You want to grow yourself as a writer."
No article or multiple chapters contain a shortcut to becoming a
best-selling author. No magic pills hide within pages of books
or magazines. However, Ms. Epstein's opinion provides good
advice. Read and compare; then form our own opinions. Use what
we read as a starting point for projects or to "kick-start"
ourselves when we seem mired in laziness or lack of motivation.
Three magazines I read provide excellent articles, usually from
authors who have been successful in their areas, that provide me
with help to improve my writing, to promote it, to prod me from
the pit of "I can't do this" pity. I consider the subscriptions
to The Writer, Writer's Digest, and ByLines
money well spent. Whether I am writing poetry, short stories,
novels, or articles, reading about writing secrets, using tricks
in poetry, how others succeeded, writing a tight, well-written
synopsis - all give me ideas that I can try.
Other items may be written in such a complicated manner to cause
me to wonder if the author knows how to use English. I close
those items without finishing as I wonder how the publishers can
pay for something so useless.
One thing I have definitely learned from reading about writing:
Reading without writing is a waste of my time. If I am serious
about writing, I must put ideas, thoughts, plots characters, and
all other components needed into words on paper or on screen.
Besides, all those items about writing make good research
sources when I write about writing.