The Write Road: How to Read, Right?

“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” ― Stephen King, author

Jan 05, 2023

Now, where were we before I got so wonderfully sidetracked by an adventure to the library with my Littles?

Oh, I remember … it was on how to read, right? Obviously, the only way to read wrong is not to read at all. But often, how we read determines the value we get out of it. And how we read depends on why we’re reading in the first place. So, what we’ll talk about today are some of the ways I read in various and sundry situations. WARNING! I may ruin reading for you … forever. Not sorry!

Reasons for reading

How do I read thee? Let me count the ways. (Elizabeth Barrett Browning … sort of).

Before we can discuss how to read, we should figure out why we’re reading in the first place. You could separate it into two categories: for pleasure and for academic reasons. When most of us read for pleasure, it doesn’t seem that hard. But I’ll give you some ideas that may scar you forever. Well, not scar you, actually. But maybe give you a second purpose for reading. A different technique.

Academic reading has several sub categories.

They fall loosely under the reasons your reading in the first place. You could be:

Reading to study for an exam
Reading to gather information for a thesis or paper
Reading to develop a working topic for an article or newsletter
Reading to present an argument, for or against, ona topic about which you’re passionate
Reading to infinity and beyond!

Sorry, got carried away on that last one. It’s a long story … about toys.

Anyway, let’s talk about reading for pleasure, first.

You’ll likely end up thinking I’m off my rocker.

You need tools when reading for pleasure

Yes … tools.

Most of us sit down on a comfy chair, mug of coffee or hot chocolate in hand. Or maybe a nice glass of wine.

I’m more of the coffee type. But choose your own liquid refreshment and get comfortable.

Of course, you want to get the lighting just right for pleasurable, distraction free reading. I have an LED stand light that adjusts for intensity (brightness) and the correct color temperature (that’s the scale from warm orangey red to bluish daylight mimicry). There’s even a setting on the remote (yes … it has a remote) with the picture of a book on it.

I’m assuming that was meant for the correct luminosity for pleasurable reading. And it works for me. So, I use it.

Now you’re ready to curl up with a good book and immerse yourself in the wondrous text.

Right?

Not so fast, bucko!

Add one more element to the comfort, the beverage, and the optimal lighting level.

A paper and pencil. Or pen. Yes, a pad of paper and some sort of writing instrument!

“Why should I do that, Steve?” you question. “I’m here for reading, not writing!”

Yes, you are. But … you ARE a writer, too, right? And you want to improve your writing skills, am I correct?

Now, granted. You might not do this every time you read for pleasure. But I admonish you to try it, at least occasionally.

There’s a reason you’re reading that particular book. Perhaps you like the author. Perhaps the subject matter intrigues you. Maybe the manner in which the thoughts are set to text inspire you.

Why not figure out … why?

When you find a passage that particularly moves you, write it down.

If you see a sequence of logic that astounds you, write it down.

If you find the pattern of prose particularly fascinating …

Yeah. Write it down!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. I wasn’t born a writer. None of us were.

And I’ve not yet become the writer I ultimately aspire to be.

But … I’m working on it. And so should you.

Part of how you develop your personal writing voice is by mimicking the voices of those writers and authors that move you. That inspire you. That … motivate you.

Copy their styles, mimic their patterns, then finally develop your own.

It’s easier if you write out their works by hand. Writing by hand, not typing on a computer keyboard, builds different neural pathways, and enhances engagement and comprehension.

In an article written by the staff on MasterClass.com, the author refers to research done by Daniel Oppenheimer:

Writing by hand boosts the learning process. Psychological science research conducted by researcher Daniel Oppenheimer at the University of California shows that handwritten notes help with memory and recall. Oppenheimer’s study shows that areas of the brain associated with recall and comprehension are more engaged when students write notes with a pen and paper.1

The article goes on to say that writing by hand often helps you avoid distractions. When scribing manually, your attention is more focused at the task … literally … at hand.

I believe that writing by hand helps you find your writer’s voice more quickly.

Your rhythm, rhyme, and harmony.

Sure, typing on a keyboard is faster by far. But when you think about it, it requires less concentration, particularly if you’re a good typist.

I first learned typing in high school. (The reason behind that might make a good story someday. A friend and I were the only two boys in a room full of girls. End. Of. Story.).

I got fairly proficient, I believe clocking in around 68 words per minute by the end of the semester. Even now, my speed continues to accelerate as hitting the correct keys become more second nature to me.

In fact, I’ve typed out entire sentences, even paragraphs while watching my lovely wife making a latte in the coffee maker in the corner of my office.

And with nary a misspelled word, to boot!

I digress.

Anyway, the next time you’re reading for pleasure, try doing so with writing instrument at the ready. Not all the time … but often.

Develop your own writer’s voice by mimicry.

Okay … pencils down.

Next topic.

Reading … academically speaking

I’ll keep this relatively short, if you don’t mind.

There is one point I’d like to expound on. And you may not agree with me totally.

However, it’s a concept that’s become an intimate part of my reading experience after wandering this blue-green orb we call home for 65 years.

But first, the easy stuff.

During my brief, albeit interesting run at college, academic reading was all I engaged in. The number one task was to hand in papers for grading, to pass tests, and finally graduate with honors.

Well … two out of three ain’t bad.

Reading for purely academic purposes often involves ingesting massive quantities of the necessary information in order to regurgitate them back out in the form of tests, dissertations, or other forms of often dry, somewhat boring manuscripts.

I’m not saying that’s a bad thing. (And perhaps “boring” was a little too harsh … in some instances.)

And if that’s what you’re in to, go for it.

Where my reading purpose has change, however, is when I write for an argument.

Let me explain.

Read. Not only to refute, but also to understand.

Argue.

It’s an intense verb, often carrying dreadful connotations.

It conjures up images of horrific confrontations. The flailing about of arms, the stomping of feet, the raising of voices.

Here’s what my friend, the unabridged Merriam-Webster Dictionary says about “argue.”

: to give or provide reasons for or against a matter under discussion or in dispute : make statements or present facts in support of or in opposition to a proposal or opinion

Point … and counterpoint, right?

I once read a story about a counselor and mediator—primarily of marital disputes—that employed, in my opinion, a quite effective strategy.

He placed the “combatants” (for lack of a better word) in opposing chairs, facing each other, knee to knee. Flipping a coin, he chose one person to make one, and only one, statement.

The other was allowed to make a statement next (one and only one statement), but only after repeating the opponent’s statement and their understanding of that statement to the satisfaction of the first.

The process continued, back and forth, until the problem was resolved. The counselor had an impressive success rate … and most arguments were solved rather quickly.

The key was understanding the opposing point of view … completely.

As writers, we have no such mediator. We must govern ourselves. And that’s tough.

Often we set out to research our point of view or premise and read only those items that support it.

And if we should, by chance, read the opposing point of view, we only read it to uncover the what … and not the why. That is lopsided research and reading, in my opinion.

Even here, you may not agree with me. And that’s your prerogative.

But the next time your read for researching a sensitive topic, I challenge you to uncover and understand both sides of the story. You may not change your point of view.

But you might begin to understand theirs.

Kind of heavy stuff, I know. But it’s an intimate topic for me. It’s part of who I am as a writer …

and a human.

In the next issue, we’ll lighten up a bit.

I want to show you how to build a roadmap for your articles and blogs.

It’ll be fun.

See you then!

Steve M.

P.S. You may see things differently. I’d love to hear your opinions! Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.