Reading is More Than Fundamental

One of my fondest memories growing up besides eating mudpies was reading. I always had a book in my hand. Even in school when the teacher would call on someone to read, I would be the first to raise my hand.

My parents, specifically my father were also advent readers and I remember how we would sit in the living room reading our books. I remember loving to read way before I realized I wanted to be a writer.

Recently, I came across a bio about one of my favorite authors Mary Higgins Clark and the moment when she decided to become a writer. Someone told her to write what she loved to read. She discovered she loved reading mysteries, which is why she is one of the number one mystery writers in the country today.

You cannot be a good writer unless you have a passion for reading. Forget about the excitement that comes from reading a great novel (I know it’s good when I’m sad that it’s ending), but also what you can learn from reading a good book.

Whether you’re a fiction or non-fiction writer, reading your genre can help you in a few ways. It can motivate you to write, it can help you be more creative with dialog and character building and in the end, help you to become a better storyteller. You can also identify and target agents and publishers who you know are interested in your specific genre.

It was easier to pick up a book when I lived in New York because I was constantly riding either the metro or subway. In California, it’s a little more challenging because I drive more and though I’m often busy working on my various writings, I still try to make time for reading. I have what I call my summer reads; where I will read a certain amount of books before the season is over or read more when my schedule slows down.

Reading a good book always gets my creative juices flowing whether I’m reading a how-to book from Joel Olsteen or reading a simmering southern cuisine from J. California Cooper. It keeps me apprised of what is out there while also giving me the motivation to get out there myself. So make sure you take out the time to read not just for the joy of it, but because of the lift it can give you. You never know when someone will want to read one of your books for the same reason.

Writing is a Career, Not a Hobby

This article is targeted to the friends, family, and associates of someone who is aspiring to be a writer. I recently reconnected with a friend of mine after a few years. We spoke for awhile catching each other up on what's been happening in our lives. I shared with him my experiences since I've moved to Southern California, along with the many opportunities and goals achieved in regards to my writing such as the film I co-wrote, 'Spin' that's been in more than a few film festivals and has won an award, my finished screenplay and my novel. I then decided to email him links to where he could read some of my writings including this blog.

His comment was "I think that you are a good writer, and that journaling and sharing are great activities."

The word activity threw me. I've never thought about my writing as an activity. It also made me think of my other friends who don't understand the work or the hours it goes into becoming not just a writer, but a successful one.

After a full days work, I must take a few hours no matter how tired I am to write either on my screenplays, short stories or novel. Then I search the web to see if there might be some freelance writing jobs that can pay me enough to where I can concentrate on my writing full-time instead of working in an office.

Then I search for writing contests or blogs where I can enter some of my writings or write for a blog to get my name out there as a writer and to bring in a little more money. There is also the searching a writer must do to keep themselves in the know like what's the latest in the world of publishing, screening writing, etc.

Plus, there is also the mailings and emailing of your sample writings and resume which can bring on a stream of rejections. Does any of this sound like it might be just a mere activity?

My friend back east might not understand the hours I put into my writing and why, but my friends here in California should. Just as much as I respect them for their jobs and careers is the same respect I want for mine.

So when your friends and family need a few hours a day to write or even weekends, please remember they're not just working on a hobby, but they are trying to build a career.

What are some of your writing struggles?