By Amanda Barratt
It’s always a delight to chat with
aspiring authors. With a smile, I always ask what kind of stories they love to
write, and listen attentively as they share their ideas. Invariably, the conversation
leads to me asking another question. “Are you familiar with the work of authors
who write in your genre?”
Usually, the answer is yes. But
sometimes, I receive a blank look. “No. Not really. I’m not much of a reader.”
The first time this happened, I was left
fumbling for words. A writer who’s not a
reader? To me, that’s equivalent to a director who never watches movies, or a chef
who never visits restaurants.
Writing workshops are amazing. Books on
the craft of writing are wonderful. But there’s no better way to learn the
delicate balance of plot and character, the subtleties of emotional resonance,
the rapid-fire play of wit-laced dialogue, than by reading the work of authors
who are masters of the craft.
Since the beginning stages of my writing
journey, I’ve spent twice as much time reading as I have attending workshops,
studying how-to books, and reading writing blogs. And I’ve gleaned twice as
much insight into the nuances of the craft. Not only do I read, I study. Usually,
I begin by reading a novel or work of nonfiction like any ordinary reader,
pausing now and then to study sentence structure, consider why that paragraph stirred
my heart. If, after finishing the last page, I know I’ve found a book that
raises the bar on craft, characters, and storytelling, I re-read it. This time,
I pay close attention to every scene, taking mental or sometimes actual notes
on what worked and what didn’t. Even in the best stories, there are weak links.
A line of dialogue that feels off, or a scene that doesn’t quite flow. I pause
and consider what the author could have done differently.
This critical
thinking is especially helpful to cultivate, and then utilize when I’m editing
my own work. Mostly, though, I focus on the positive. That unforgettable
character or memorable line of dialogue, a seamlessly woven theme that will
forever linger in my thoughts. The best books are experiences, and when I
discover a story that draws me in and paints a landscape of people and places
in vivid color, I know I’ve found one for my keeper shelf.
Our minds are
like sponges as we read, growing and absorbing. As we take the time to study
the craft of writing through the works of others, our own stories will become
all the richer.
The man who never
reads will never be read; he who never quotes will never be quoted. He who will
not use the thoughts of other men’s brains, proves that he has no brains of his
own. Charles Spurgeon
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ECPA best-selling author Amanda Barratt fell in love with writing in grade school when
she wrote her first story—a spinoff of Jane Eyre. Now, Amanda
writes romantic, historical fiction, penning stories of beauty and brokenness
set against the backdrop of bygone eras not so very different from our own. Her
novel My Dearest Dietrich: A Novel of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Lost Love released
from Kregel Publications in June 2019. She’s also the author of My
Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York: Adele’s Journey, as well as seven
novellas with Barbour Publishing. Two of her novellas have been finalists in
the FHL Reader’s Choice Awards. Amanda lives in the woods of Michigan with her
fabulous family, where she can be found reading way too many books, plotting
her next novel, and jotting down imaginary travel itineraries for her dream
vacation to Europe. Connect with her on Facebook and visit her online at
amandabarratt.net. Social Media Links: Website: www.amandabarratt.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/amandabarrattauthor Twitter:
www.twitter.com/amandambarratt
