Read to write

Thought I’d take a break from The Apostrophe Series to share this little tidbit.  It appears to be a paradox, but it’s true.  In order to become a better writer, you MUST read.  Read, read, read.  Fiction, non-fiction – anything you can put your hands on.  If you are vehemently opposed to rekindling the warm affections you previously held for your local library, there is also a plethora of resources online (newspapers, online texts, etc.) which will be invaluable in your pursuit to become a better writer.  Not only will you develop your vocabulary (a major asset), but you will learn grammar somewhat passively as well.  Yes, it will grow on you.  Soon you will be able to tell when something “doesn’t look right,” simply because you’ve spent a lot of time looking at the right stuff.

If you are not convinced, let me show you a non-linguistic example (yes, there is more to me than words!).  I happen to love, love, love photography – always have, always will.  Toss me a camera and I’d take a decent picture, might even be able to impress you some.  However, it was only when I started seriously looking at the work produced by professional photographers did I develop that “good eye.”  I’d spend hours looking at photography websites, poring over galleries and portfolios.  And while I am still a long way from professional photographer status, my skill level has definitely improved tremendously – I am more aware of lighting, composition, and other things that make a good photograph.  I now find opportunities to take amazing shots in places that may appear mundane to the untrained eye.  Moreover, I am constantly challenged to produce work whose quality mirrors that of my unofficial mentors.

So there you have it.  Now, go read a book