Recently, a first-time novelist by the name of William Giraldi made a disturbing remark about today’s culture: more and more contemporary writers are showing an aversion to reading. Perhaps the most famous of these is J.K. Rowling (from the Harry Potter series) who, despite her claim that she rarely picks up a book – unless she signs it – is an amazing author.
I like to think this should be the exception, not the rule. However, the modern generation definitely reads less. It might be because we bombarded relentlessly with all my numbers. Or maybe we don’t have time more than three minutes to read and that’s a prerequisite for even the most impressive blog post. Maybe, just maybe, the book as I know is dying a slow and quiet death.
Except when I look at overcrowded bookshelves crammed with books of all shapes and sizes, I tend to differ. Reading has always been a part of me and I find it hard to believe that an aspiring writer can be successful without reading a book. Rowling is the obvious wildcard, but there are dozens of acclaimed authors for whom reading is just as important as writing, including Stephen King, who says he reads 80 books a year.
Reading increases vocabulary
English is one of the richest languages in the world, and it is extremely doubtful that you will hear half of it just by using it in your everyday conversations. Reading regularly (no, the back of the pill box) allows you to see new words printed. Since humans are highly visual creatures, we are more likely to remember the words we saw (i.e. read) rather than hear them. Writers who strive to broaden their vocabulary will benefit by choosing good quality books of various genres.
Reading is good for brain
Your brain needs to be trained just as much as your body. Reading regularly is a great way to give your brain the exercise it needs, and research shows that. According to an Emory University study, reading stimulates brain connectivity and helps memory and imagination, in the same way that exercise enhances musical muscle strength and flexibility. So it makes sense to conclude that reading will not only help you write better; Your newly improved mind will be better able to handle real-life situations in a more creative and imaginative way.
Reading adds to general knowledge
Any critically acclaimed writer will know that you really can’t get a good publication published without doing some research first, even if you are writing a fiction. This is especially true for content writers who are often asked to explore topics they know nothing about. A good reading can significantly reduce your research time. If you have read on a certain topic before, you will obviously be more knowledgeable than your peers in I Hate Reading. During face-to-face interactions, you will find yourself better able to maintain meaningful conversations on a variety of topics.
Reading improves cultural awareness
Thanks to the Internet, writing internationally is no longer a distant dream. When you write online, you attract a huge audience and your readers will not just be locals whose first language is the same as yours. That’s why, as a writer, you should always be aware of localization. Something that might make sense for a UK reader may not necessarily be clear to Australian readers; Or – if your work were to be translated into different languages – it could mean something completely different. This is especially true of the many English proverbs we use every day.
Book lovers will naturally be more aware of what is going on in different cultures. Thanks to John Grisham I can write confidently about the New York Police Department, or refer to the Saudi culture that Jean Sasson has clearly portrayed. I can, of course, add more examples, but I’m sure you’ve got the drift.