This week: Read Out Loud Edited by: Dawn Embers  
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Reading is important to writers on more than one level. We can read to improve our craft both through published works and within the editing process. |
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For many, it is common knowledge that reading is an important activity for writers. it is a learning tool, hobby, school requirement and a desired end to the whole process. While wanting to others to read what we write is the goal for many people, in order to develop our abilities as writers, it helps to also be readers. However, there are a few options and ways reading can help our writing so today we are going to focus in particular on reading out loud.
Listening to a Book
Also known as audiobooks, it is an option in order to help get some reading done without having to physically read the words on the page or screen. Many books are put into this format giving readers options throughout all of the genres to have a book read to them. It can be helpful in particular when doing other tasks or where the entire focus might not be on the book, such as working out or dealing with a long commute to work.
Couple of options exist for audio books and it's even easier with the help of modern technology. Gone are the days of 15 tapes or 12 cds borrowed from the library in order to listen to a book. Well, they aren't really gone, just not as prominent considering the current technology available. One common source for audiobooks is online through Audibles. It's a resource to download and read audiobooks that can be used on computers and cell phones. Many different people promote it and offer personal discounts for books on the site through their own pages, youtube videos and podcasts.
Another option is through the public library. The app I use in particular is one called Overdrive and it helps me have access to the LA public library. There I can download audiobooks to my cell phone and listen to them while I'm stuff in traffic or just heading to work in the morning where I don't want to listen to the people talking on the radio. It has helped me be able to check out a variety of books from one on diet & fitness to young adult fantasy, or learning how we developed many vaccines to the current book written by a neuropsychologists on the self through retrospection from his own life. While I love a good, physical paperback book, having audiobooks as an option has helped me read more than 4 books a year and it can be a great option for anyone wanting to read a little more.
Read Out Loud for Editing
Another method for using the audio form of the written word is before we get published. I once had a teacher recommend this tool as a way to edit our papers and while not everything I was taught in class stuck with me over the years, this particular method still holds as a valid, useful option. When we're writing and reading over our writing in our minds, we become very familiar with the words that are there. At times, that means when doing an edit, there are things we skim over or miss because our minds can fix them without pointing out there needs to be a change.
Reading out loud can also help with editing when it comes to the overall flow of a story or poem. We might think the right cadences are there, that the sentence structure makes sense or the dialogue has the right snap, but how it comes off to others might not be the same result. Reading out loud helps catch those sneaky little nuisances that could get missed in a silent edit. Even just comma placement can be assisted through a quick read out loud because you can tell through breathing as you read where it feels natural to have those little pauses.
So, whether it's reading on the treadmill, in the car or even at home with the computer to edit down a particular chapter, one option you can consider is to read out loud. Reading is a fundamental tool and one that is important to all of us here on writing.com. Have fun and enjoy reading something out loud. |
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Do you listen to books? Have you ever tried editing by reading out loud to yourself?
"Try reading out loud when you edit your work. Your ears will pick out mistakes that your eyes are blind to." - L.F. Young
"Reading is what? Fundamental." - Ru Paul
"Great writing is talking edited." - Steve Crescenzo
“When you read a book, the story definitely happens inside your head. When you listen, it seems to happen in a little cloud all around it, like a fuzzy knit cap pulled down over your eyes.”
― Robin Sloan
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For Authors: February 19, 2020 Issue [#10027]
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