1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
"A writer is a reader moved to emulation." ~Saul Bellow
While you may or may not agree with that statement, it does say a lot about the importance of reading to the writer. Writers are readers - we can't seem to get enough of the written word. Often we're told we ought to write every single day to be writers.
They don't tell us to read.
Sometimes I get too caught up in what I'm writing to remember to keep reading. It's a bad habit to fall into, but we all struggle with everything we're supposed to get done in a day.
Reading is how you know your market, how you learn about what your audience wants, how you avoid doing things that have been done ten million times in your genre and your reader will get annoyed with. It's vital for the writer to read what you write. And not just the words you type into the computer for your own stories.
Every submissions call for the magazines seems to recommend the writer get accustomed to the venue and read an issue or two. I'll admit one reason is so you don't submit a vampire story to a magazine that only wants action thrillers with human characters. Another good reason is so you get familiar with good stories out there - by well-known or just getting noticed writers - and increase your knowledge about the written word.
Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter! https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Short Stories: April 07, 2010 Issue [#3658]
