Saturday, August 24, 2013

Writing...Saturday: Reading as a Writer

Hello! So, I'm sorry I didn't have a post ready for yesterday. I don't know how that happened!

Today we are going to talk about reading (or watching movies!) as a writer.

The more I write, the more I find myself "critiquing" professional writing. I decide I like how an author did this or that and want to incorporate it into my writing or I decide I don't like something.


For example, just yesterday I was reading the first chapter of "The Red Badge of Courage". Now, I've barely read five pages of this, so don't hold me to my word, but I noticed quite a few uses of adverbs and weak verbs.

I also automatically critique movie plots when I see them.

On the other hand, I will read something by an amazing author like MaryLu Tyndall or Mary Connealy or Deeanne Gist, or countless others, and find tidbits I want to incorporate in my own writing.


So, how do I do this?

I don't know.

Really, I don't. All I know is that it comes with practice. the more you read and write, the more you are able to do this. When you ARE a writer, you will think like one, and when you write, you are a writer.

Editing your writing also makes you realize more tidbits in other writing.


What do you think? Have you ever found yourself critiquing a movie or book?

8 comments:

  1. I have a difficult time not critiquing things. It makes my family mad when I do it out loud for a movie we are watching and they liked but I didn't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, especially lately, I have noticed myself critiquing things.
      Thanks for stopping by! :)

      Delete
  2. I agree, movies and books can give good examples of how to write and how not to write.

    There are other things, too that I think can help with writing, like acting. It can help you get into the mind of a character other than yourself and give you practice thinking outside your own regular thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Acting does help me with my writing as well.

      I also think my writing helps with my acting. Thanks for stopping by, Cortney! :)

      Delete
  3. Hehe, yeah I notice myself doing that too, especially by books that didn't have that great of an editor. Movies also, lots of times I'll get distracted by a plot hole or strange writing during a movie if they have those. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, that tends to annoy me when I run into stuff like that. :)

      Delete
  4. I do this all the time. I can't help it with both movies and books. I even do it to movie trailers lol. It's just a little perk/annoyance that comes with being a writer. XD

    Stori Tori's Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha yeah it actually seems pretty common, especially among writers. :)
      Thanks for sharing! I love hearing from you.

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by! I would love to hear from you.