Reading Like a Writer Overview

Don’t know what “Reading Like a Writer” is all about? Look no further!

"...No would-be biographer, in my view, should embark on the depiction of a real life without bothering to know something about how--and why--previous biographers have addressed the lives of real individuals in the past--and with what results." --Nigel Hamilton, How to Do Biography: A Primer

Writers generally accept that in order to be a good writer, they need to write a lot. But many aspiring writers might not realize that they also need to read a lot as well. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot. Some writing mentors will say that you need to read at least fifty books in your genre to be versed enough in the tropes, traditions, and basic rules, not only so you can follow them, but so you can knowingly break them when it's appropriate as well. When asked what they wished more novice biographers would do, mentors at Biographer’s International Organization stated that they wish more new biographers read more in their genre. This way they can see how others have done the thing they are about to do, they can see what’s being published, and if they dig a little deeper, they can see how readers are responding to what’s being published. It can also be like trying out a tool with minimal effort. If you read something by another author and it completely turns you off, then you know that tool might not be right for you.

Now, I've read far more than fifty biographies in my life, and guess what? I still feel like I learn something new about craft every time I read one. Sometimes it's something good--something I definitely want to try out some day. Other times, I learn something that I want to avoid. Regardless, reading voraciously is something I have never regretted. So I thought I would start this series about reading like a writer to maybe help others learn from what I am doing. Learn from my learning, if you will.

Anyway.

The articles in this series aren’t going to be a book reviews in the typical sense. They will be more reviews of authors' processes, to suss out what works and what doesn't so we can refine the tools in our writers' toolkits, and discover new ways to tell the stories of our subjects. I hope you find them useful!