The Importance of Being Well-Read and Properly-Read for Skilled Writers

As a skilled writer, mastering both the art of reading and the craft of writing is paramount. This article delves into the importance of being well-read and properly-read, explaining how these skills can enhance your writing and creative abilities.

Overcoming Reading Challenges

For many, reading has always been a difficult task. In high school, I was often branded as "learning disabled" due to my struggles with reading. However, entering TEC school transformed my reading ability through a speed reading course and other supportive measures. Two weeks later, I found myself not only reading better but also excelling in ways my high school teachers had never anticipated, leading to my graduation and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Thus, the challenge of reading can indeed be overcome with the right tools and support.

Strategies for Improving Writing

Once you overcome reading challenges, it’s time to focus on improving your writing. Initially, you might find it difficult, but with consistent practice and observation, your writing skills will improve significantly. Focus on speed reading to enhance your comprehension and learn from various authors' sentence structures. This practice will not only improve your writing but also expand your vocabulary. Proper reading and writing skills are not inherently contradictory but complementary, making you a better craftsman in the world of literature.

Understanding the Importance of Styles

As a well-read writer, knowing the various styles is crucial. These styles include journalistic, literary, poetic, colloquial, and iconoclastic. Familiarize yourself with important writers in each category:

Colloquial writers: Mark Twain, Joan Didion, Joseph Conrad Journalistic writers: Raymond Carver, Lewis Thomas, George Orwell Literary writers: William Faulkner, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Charles Dickens Iconoclastic writers: David Foster Wallace, Joan Didion, James Joyce Poetic writers: Dr. Seuss, Shakespeare, Walt Whitman

Importantly, being properly-read is not about reading as much as it is about understanding the style, rhythm, and intention behind the literary works. It's about 'getting the joke'

Importance of Genres and Authors

Genres such as poetry, fiction, literary fiction, memoir, biography, play, short story, essay, and journalism are equally crucial to a well-read writer. Revisiting my reading practices, I discovered a love for biography, which enriched my writing across different genres. Reading for rhythm, plot, character development, inner experiences, pure narrative, dialogue, and argument will enrich your own writing.

Personal Insights on Modern Writers

In the realm of modern writers, imagine them in a rainbow of colors based on their style and approach:

Red - William Faulkner Orange - Jack Kerouac Yellow - Sinclair Lewis or F. Scott Fitzgerald Green - Mark Twain Blue - Cormac McCarthy Indigo - Steinbeck Violet - Hemingway

However, it's important to note that reading for style, rather than content, is more beneficial. You don't need to read entire works unless you 'get the joke'. Every author has a unique style that can influence your own writing. For instance, Hemingway's style may not be your personal preference, but analyzing it can help you identify what you like and dislike, and whether you can incorporate any useful aspects into your own work.

Differences Between Well-Read and Properly-Read

Being well-read means reading a broad range of ideas, while being properly-read focuses on understanding and deconstructing different styles and writing techniques. While being aware of a vast range of ideas can be beneficial, it does not necessarily translate into better writing. Great ideas come from observation, sensitivity, and intuition, while great writing comes from studying and practicing the techniques used by other writers.

Ultimately, the goal is to be a proper reader, absorbing the styles and techniques of the masters, rather than just the content of their work. This approach will naturally lead to better writing and a deeper understanding of the craft.