How to Read Like a Writer

Reading like a writer means reading to learn from other authors. By understanding the creative choices used in novels you admire, you can better apply those tools and techniques to your own writing. Literary analysis can involve taking an “academic” approach to fiction, but it doesn’t need to be a dry, boring endeavor. Engage with stories in ways that feel valuable and interesting to you and your writing process. Moreover, not every book needs to be dissected with a surgical knife—sometimes it’s more enjoyable to read solely for pleasure. You can read a text version of this video on Medium: https://quotidianwriter.medium.com/how-to-read-like-a-writer-22e2d13b02bc Love my channel? Treat me to a cup of coffee at https://ko-fi.com/quotidianwriter. Behind-the-scenes notes for this video: https://ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Scenes-How-to-Read-Like-a-Writer-Y8Y76W7UF My Published Stories and Poems: https://www.quotidianwriter.com/my-writing Twitter: https://twitter.com/QuotidianWriter Opening Animation by Vitor A. Dupont: https://www.behance.net/vitordupont Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zl4EGLoiI8&t=83s Background Music: + “Le cygne (No. 13)” by Camille Saint-Saëns, performed by Matilda Colliard (cello) and Stefano Ligoratti (piano) + “Homeward Bound” by Vindsvept + “Veiled in Light” by Vindsvept + “Illuminate” by Vindsvept + “Premonition of Tomorrow” by Keys of Moon SOURCES Zadie Smith Interview on Daily Good: http://www.dailygood.org/story/1941/literature-s-legacy-of-honorable-failure-zadie-smith/ Mike Bunn’s Essay “How to Read Like a Writer”: https://wac.colostate.edu/docs/books/writingspaces2/bunn--how-to-read.pdf Ira Glass Recording (Full Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2wLP0izeJE “How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension as an Adult” by Christine Ro on Book Riot: https://bookriot.com/improve-your-reading-comprehension/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Today%20in%20Books&utm_content=Final&utm_term=BookRiot_TodayInBooks_DormantSuppress Wuthering Heights Fan Art by Illustrator Kelley McMorris (used with permission): http://www.kmcmorris.com My Essay “On Book Burning and the Magic of Libraries”: https://quotidianwriter.medium.com/on-book-burning-and-the-magic-of-libraries-d1352950e7c9 My Essay “Not All Rainbows: Rise of the Queer Antihero”: https://aninjusticemag.com/not-all-rainbows-rise-of-the-queer-antihero-aa8890dd51fc My Reading and Analysis of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oBdP9aZkU8&t=1347s List of Book Recommendations: https://www.quotidianwriter.com/book-recs What It Means to Read Like a Writer (0:00) 1. Ask meaningful questions. (2:37) 2. Articulate your opinions—and use evidence. (3:28) 3. Annotate or keep a reading log. (5:38) 4. Create something inspired by what you read. (8:09) 5. Target specific writing skills you want to improve. (10:13) 6. Examine the larger context. (12:18) 7. Reread. (15:09) Comparison Is the Thief of Joy (16:35)