tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post2875804193773757586..comments2023-12-26T18:33:04.681-08:00Comments on Writability: Why Writers Must ReadGabe (Ava Jae)http://www.blogger.com/profile/04778524723148508140noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-10065274716782413732012-04-09T06:50:48.731-07:002012-04-09T06:50:48.731-07:00I can't quite wrap my head around people who d...I can't quite wrap my head around people who don't like to read either--although I like the quote that says people who don't like to read just haven't found the right book. :)<br /><br />For writers though, there's no excuse. If you want to improve your writing and be a good writer, you <i>must</i> read. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-37689457313481013862012-04-08T09:02:49.976-07:002012-04-08T09:02:49.976-07:00I'm still amazed at people who don't like ...I'm still amazed at people who don't like to read. I read all the time! I go nuts when I have nothing to read lol. And I do think it's very important for writers to read...how else are they going to find out what readers like?RaiscaraAvalonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-64436510966410209082012-01-18T21:14:41.005-08:002012-01-18T21:14:41.005-08:00Reading is such a fantastic way to broaden our exp...Reading is such a fantastic way to broaden our experience of both imagination and other voices out there. It's one pleasure that truly never gets old. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-21643850934935739442012-01-18T21:11:47.762-08:002012-01-18T21:11:47.762-08:00I think reading is tremendously important. If I h...I think reading is tremendously important. If I hadn't continued to read I would think that writing was supposed to be the stuff of Baby Sitters Club and Sweet Valley High OR it was supposed to read like Hemingway and Toni Morrison- two vastly different levels of writing. Thank goodness I love to read and continue to do so. It makes my feel like my voice is acceptable as well as accessible. Candace Chatmanhttp://profiles.google.com/candace.m.chatmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-85923589407710355672011-12-02T06:02:18.439-08:002011-12-02T06:02:18.439-08:00I know exactly what you mean. Besides, who really ...I know exactly what you mean. Besides, who really sits still nowadays anyway? :DAva Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-42946723859157514012011-12-01T19:42:45.397-08:002011-12-01T19:42:45.397-08:00Sitting and listening. I couldn't do that eith...Sitting and listening. I couldn't do that either. I listen to stories while driving, walking the dog, loading and unloading the dishwasher, etc. My best conversations take place either moving (walk, drive) or eating (always a wonderful experience). Hard to sit for long. Typing words involves some movement so I can sit and write (with lots of get up time for coffee). :-)TNealhttp://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-77476921179432657852011-12-01T19:17:11.262-08:002011-12-01T19:17:11.262-08:00I'm thoroughly convinced that any sort of read...I'm thoroughly convinced that any sort of reading can help you improve as a writer one way or another--it just depends on what you choose to take from it. <br /><br />I never really caught on to audio books, but that's largely due to a slightly short attention span...I often find my mind wandering when I just sit and listen to a book rather than read it for myself. Silly quirk, I suppose. :) <br />Thanks so much! ^_^Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-40879681322387500922011-12-01T16:12:14.354-08:002011-12-01T16:12:14.354-08:00I think it was Steven King in "On Writing&quo...I think it was Steven King in "On Writing" who said that reading junk can be helpful. You come away from a bad novel and say, "I can at least write as well as that." I've always enjoyed stories but heard them on audio books more than read them. Even the classics like "The Count of Monte Cristo" I heard before I read. My wife introduced me and my son to some great stories because, from the time she knew the difference between an A and a C, she's read books. I find good books and reading can be caught. I'm evidence of that. Good piece of writing, Ava Jae!TNealhttp://www.tnealtarver.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-87658155341049012272011-11-24T21:03:30.151-08:002011-11-24T21:03:30.151-08:00Oh wow, I'm so glad I was able to encourage yo...Oh wow, I'm so glad I was able to encourage you to do read more! It's so important for writers to read often and truth be told, it's a pretty enjoyable way to learn. :) <br /><br />Enjoy <i>Duma Key</i>! Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-70092798724120045602011-11-24T20:58:41.127-08:002011-11-24T20:58:41.127-08:00Man, I needed to read this. Before I became a ful...Man, I needed to read this. Before I became a full-time, sole caregiver for my mom I was a voracious reader. Almost as soon as I began taking care of her, I stopped reading. Oh, I read, but compared to my previous habits, there was no comparison. Mom died in the fall of 2009, and even though I have more time, I still am not reading like I used to. You're so right on, Ava, and starting tonight, I'm going to finally pick up Stephen King's "Duma Key" that's been sitting on my self since 2008 and READ. BTW, he is my favorite living author, and I don't think it's a coincidence that I was drawn to your site and this particular post tonight...Sidney Peckhttp://twitter.com/CinemaProfoundnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-75348312644650531492011-11-23T05:28:36.609-08:002011-11-23T05:28:36.609-08:00Reading a language you're trying to learn (suc...Reading a language you're trying to learn (such as English) can certainly help improve your understanding of the language. I wish you the best!Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-87318316654016188802011-11-23T03:40:26.283-08:002011-11-23T03:40:26.283-08:00my first language wasn't English, so whenever ...my first language wasn't English, so whenever I'm trying to write a blog is hard for me. Trying to look out for the grammar problem and does the sentence make sense.<br />Trying to improve it badly but this article helps me a lot. <br />Thank you so much AvaAffiliate Marketinghttp://www.jordansakamoto.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-40467586574579796902011-11-22T05:14:27.249-08:002011-11-22T05:14:27.249-08:00Yes, I wouldn't ever suggest forcing someone t...Yes, I wouldn't ever suggest <i>forcing</i> someone to read as that'd take the enjoyment out of it entirely, it's just especially important for writers to read often. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-523133641309207862011-11-21T22:16:58.701-08:002011-11-21T22:16:58.701-08:00Yeh, your right, I meant the person forced to read...Yeh, your right, I meant the person forced to read might not like to read. unless, they want to read themselves. Reading is a tool used to improve toward the next level of education. I agreed.Ferb WLhttp://www.2blogtips.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-3493793377431179592011-11-21T18:21:45.111-08:002011-11-21T18:21:45.111-08:00Thank you so much! Definitely give me a link to th...Thank you so much! Definitely give me a link to the post when you write it. :)Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-51782920968524371082011-11-21T17:52:37.105-08:002011-11-21T17:52:37.105-08:00I think it's hard to to control our self not t...I think it's hard to to control our self not to be influenced by others writing. Even now I'm influenced by your writing about "secret ingredients, you". That's why there is quote "man shaped by man". <br /><br />So, I think we have to put more weight on great writing while noting the bad writing.<br /><br />Nice to meet you in here!<br /><br />JecoAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-40275500788273253572011-11-21T12:42:58.124-08:002011-11-21T12:42:58.124-08:00Great post! Not sure I could say it a whole lot b...Great post! Not sure I could say it a whole lot better so will be doing post and directing here. Thanks.Sgchriswriternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-62722172585375556472011-11-21T07:30:35.766-08:002011-11-21T07:30:35.766-08:00Awesome! Thanks for stopping by! ^_^Awesome! Thanks for stopping by! ^_^Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-68947117550052599422011-11-21T07:06:01.414-08:002011-11-21T07:06:01.414-08:00I found your website from Michael Scott's FB p...I found your website from Michael Scott's FB page. sgissynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-29939830118995664882011-11-21T06:40:25.990-08:002011-11-21T06:40:25.990-08:00And yet we never see filmmakers say "I make f...And yet we never see filmmakers say "I make films, but I never watch them because you can't learn anything from them" or architects say "I like to design buildings, but I never look at anyone else's work." Orson Welles watched Stagecoach forty times while making Citizen Kane. <br /><br />The idea that reading someone else's work inevitably leads to regurgitation of that work is pretty fallacious, as is the idea that studying the craft of others must somehow detract or distract from practicing one's own. The idea that you can't learn by deconstructing the work of others seems absurd to me. <br /><br />Your lofty proclamations of "Done," "Finis" and "WRONG" aside -- I don't hate you, but I don't find your argument credible either. I'm sure it works for you, and that's great, but it's far from axiomatic IMO.Daniel Swensenhttp://www.surlymuse.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-40281817916547996022011-11-21T05:15:45.621-08:002011-11-21T05:15:45.621-08:00I've made it a point to read much more of my g...I've made it a point to read much more of my genre this year and I know I've benefited greatly from it, and not just because I have tons of new books to look forward to (although that's a pretty big bonus ^_^). Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-13759374371878102782011-11-21T05:14:30.633-08:002011-11-21T05:14:30.633-08:00Firstly, I don't hate you at all. You're p...Firstly, I don't hate you at all. You're perfectly entitled to disagree with me and I think it was pretty brave of you to speak up and voice your opinion, so for that, thank you. <br /><br />Despite that though, although I agree on some points, I'm largely going to have to disagree with you. <br /><br />Let's start with what I agree with--a writer writes and the most important thing for a writer to do is just that. I absolutely agree that it's most important for a writer to write and the best way to improve is to practice by putting words on a page (after all, you can read all you want but you won't improve if you don't try it yourself). So on that point, I agree. <br /><br />However, I still think it's important for writers to read. The point of reading isn't to get plot ideas to slap into your writing and I'm certainly not suggesting that we all read and spit out what we've just read--that wouldn't be much help to anyone. Instead, reading can be inspirational and educational. If you take note of things you love (maybe it's the voice? The three-dimensionality of the antagonist? A specific line of prose?) and identify what it is about it that resonates with you, you can then apply that technique to your own writing, which in turn could help you improve.<br /><br />On the flip side, if you notice things you <i>don't</i> like in a book, identifying what specifically you don't like about it can be a good reminder of what <i>not</i> to do in your WIP. <br /><br />If we're using the hockey analogy, it goes without saying that the most important piece is that the players practice--that they go out into the rink and do drills and work on getting those scores and practice passing and checking and so on and so forth until they've honed their skills. Practice, practice, practice. <br /><br />But hockey players watch other hockey games for a reason, and it isn't only because they love the sport--there's something to be learned from observing the best of the best and even something to be learned from watching others who aren't as skilled. Techniques, do's and don't and learning from the mistakes (and victories) of others can be incredibly useful for anyone in any field. <br /><br />Of course, this is just my opinion and as I said before, you're perfectly entitled to disagree with me. I suppose we'll just have to agree to disagree. :) Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-47441610551475805462011-11-21T04:59:47.128-08:002011-11-21T04:59:47.128-08:00I really like that analogy--I hadn't ever conn...I really like that analogy--I hadn't ever connected the two before, but I definitely see the comparison. Having awareness when you read is a huge asset to any writer's arsenal. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-37523020410849918212011-11-21T04:48:08.721-08:002011-11-21T04:48:08.721-08:00Reading analytically (rather than just reading for...Reading analytically (rather than just reading for entertainment) is a great way to get even more out of whatever you read. I've found that lately I've been paying more attention to voice and things that I like from the books I read, and I know it's helped me get some great ideas as to how to play with voice and style. <br /><br />I'm funny when it comes to music--I love music and I often listen to music when I write, but sometimes (and this happens mostly before I really get into what I'm writing or when I'm trying to brainstorm) I find that music can become distracting so I sadly have to turn it off. Of course, once I really get into the writing again, the music often comes back on. :DAva Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-606209712314101104.post-41614688521093207022011-11-21T04:44:49.483-08:002011-11-21T04:44:49.483-08:00I love watching movies and I'm certainly not s...I love watching movies and I'm certainly not suggesting you force anyone to read, but for writers I think it's important that we read often. Ava Jaehttp://avajae.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com