Do you know how to read like a writer?
Do you know how to read like a writer?
In truth, it took me a long time to figure out how to read like a writer. So much of what makes a good book—or movie or song or piece of art—good is that the finished product seems effortless. It evokes emotions with just the right word or scene or note. When I write editorial letters, I always give authors suggestions of books to read—books in a similar genre, or books that master a certain craft element really well.
But what should one look for when one cracks open that spine? How does one unpack the effort in the effortless?
I suggest beginning with emotions. After all, that’s why we read. When you are reading a book, is there a certain paragraph or page or chapter that evokes a certain emotion? How do you know that you should be feeling sad or happy or angry without the author telling you that the character is sad or happy or angry?
There are so many ways to critically read to improve your own writing, and the craft elements you notice in each book can be unpacked in depth, but here are some places to start:
1. What types of words does the author use? What kind of imagery? For example, is there alliteration? Repetition? Are the words long or short? What types of adjectives does the author use? How do they sound?
2. Notice the use of white space. White space can place extra emphasis on certain words or sentences. For example, notice how the questions above are in their own paragraphs for emphasis. How long are the paragraphs? Is the author using short, choppy sentences or long, run-on sentences? In verse novels, how are the lines spaced? How long is each line? Each stanza?
3. What are the most revealing qualities of a character and how are they revealed? Does the author use dialogue or word choice to show a character’s qualities? For example, perhaps the author demonstrates a character’s brusqueness or prickliness by having them speak in punchy, three-word sentences.
4. What perspective are we reading from? 1st? 3rd? Does this choice make you feel closer or further away from the main character(s)? What effect does this have on the way you feel or read the story?
5. Does the author use an object or setting to reflect a character’s emotions? When the mad scientist finally succeeds in creating the monster, does lightning spark the sky outside? Does thunder suddenly crash and boom? Maybe the character’s late mother left them a sentimental object, like a necklace—how does the character describe this object? How do they hold it, handle it? Do they stash it away in a drawer or wear it under their sweater every day?
6. How are the stakes raised? What are you worried about as you read? Does the author remind you of the stakes at a certain time—say, at the end of the chapter so you’ll want to continue reading?
The next time you are reading a novel and noticing a strong emotion evoked, take a second to study the word choice or the way the paragraph or page or chapter is structured. What struck that emotional nerve in you?