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A couple of days ago, someone asked me where my inspiration as a blogger comes from. The unspoken question I sensed was more like, “What do you do when you get ‘blogger’s block’”?
(You know bloggers’ block, that close cousin to writer’s block?)
“Oh, I have a special fairy for that,” I said.
There was a deep silence on the other end of the phone line.
Of course, I was being my usual smarty pants self.
I’ll be contributing my real answers to that question in a future guest post on Leo Babauta and Mary Jaksch’s wildly popular Write to Done blog.
But for now, let me just share one insanely simple reason I don’t get blogger’s block.
I read.
I heard on an NPR radio show last week that 27 percent of Americans did not read one book last year.
Not a single book.
Okay, I may not be the norm on this issue. I’ve been a book junkie since I was five.
I was the one who had to consume words with my breakfast. I read the back of the Trix cereal box, and even the side—all the way through those disgusting ingredients like high fructose corn syrup, red dye and trisodium phosphate.
And yes, having taught first graders to read for 10 years, I value education.
But still. One in four read not a single book.
I read, on average, a book a week. (Business books don’t count.)
My tastes run everywhere from Harry Potter books to Les Miserables. And in between that, every memoir, biography or true crime book I can get my hands on.
5 reasons bloggers and writers should be readers
Bloggers and writers should be avid readers. Reading opens up the mind, makes you think in different ways and helps you understand all kinds of people, even if they are in a fictional setting.
Whether you consider yourself a blogger, a writer or a business owner who blogs, reading lots of books across multiple genres helps you:
1. Discover more new ideas—or new slants on old ideas.
As strange as it sounds, new ideas for blog posts come to me when I am reading. I keep a notebook by my nightstand. Something will happen in a book, I’ll ask myself, “What if…? and sometimes a new post idea springs to mind.
2. Improve your vocabulary.
If you are ever pained trying to think of just the right word to use in a sentence, you’ll find the words coming to you easier the more you read.
3. Claim your voice and writing style.
Reading lots of different authors helps you nail your unique voice. For a while, I fell in love with different authors’ styles—Mary Carr (The Liars’ Club), Natalie Goldberg (Writing Down the Bones, Long Quiet Highway) and others. I tried on pieces, a few at a time, and in the process found my own.
4. Touch emotions.
No matter the kind of blog you have, your readers want to feel something when they open up one of your posts. Because if your blog is bland, if it doesn’t connect with your readers on an emotional level, they probably won’t hang around long.
When you read a lot, you get a sense of how different writers appeal to the senses and emotions. As you write each post, ask yourself, “What do I want my reader to feel?”
5. Tell your stories better.
One of my guest posters, the brilliant A. Victoria Mixon, recently showed us how we can improve our storytelling with basic fiction techniques.
As you immerse yourself in the characters and plots in the books you read, you’ll soon begin absorbing more ways to do that.
Just in case you’re curious about the last 5 books I read, here they are:
Old Friend from Far Away by Natalie Goldberg
An American Childhood by Annie Dillard
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (unbelievably, I hadn’t read it yet)
About My Sisters by Debra Ginsberg
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (for the gazillionth time)
What about you?
Do you find time to read?
Is reading a lost art?
Do you think reading more makes you a better blogger?
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Great post. I rarely have bloggers block because I employ what I call my Three A’s to come up with blog posts. For me it’s finding the time to write the ideas in a format that is (hopefully) both educational and entertaining.
In case you are wondering what my Three A’s are — they are Amaze, Annoy and Amuse. I write about things that do any or all of these to me. Trust me … there are plenty every day. I also try to keep on the positive side of things. Sure, it’s easy to be a contrarian and go negative all the time, but that’s just not very fun for me.
As for books — Yes, reading them makes you a better blogger. More importantly reading books makes you a better person and a better citizen. More interesting, more well rounded and at least somewhat more informed … even if it’s informed about a make believe world at least you would have learned something — a new word or even a new world.
Read More … Write More. These should be synonymous.
jeff shuey recently posted..A Clan of Raving Fans … for SharePoint
Oh yeah, I forgot to add the last few books I read.
“People Buy You” by Jeb Blount, “Enterprise Social Technology” by Scott Klososky, “Fever Dream” by Preston & Child, and “Playing with the Enemy” by Gary Moore.
I’m lucky (I guess) in that I fly a lot. So, I get a fair amount of time to read and also to explore and share new books with my fellow travelers.
jeff shuey recently posted..A Clan of Raving Fans … for SharePoint
Jeff,
Thanks for giving us those titles. I am ALWAYS looking for new books to read! You know, flying is a perfect time to read, but since Bob and I pulled the plug on cable, we have at least 2 hours a night to read. It’s heaven. (Of course, the kid is grown, so…)
Jeff,
Your 3 A’s are very similar to my 3 E’s, which are educate, entertain and engage. And staying positive in a negative world is a challenge.
I love reading fiction because usually the characters are built on real life and we can learn about not only others, but ourselves.
Read more. Write more. Yes!
I have an article coming this week entitled 5 Patch Picks for books you should read again….but in the meantime, I’m reading Breakfast at Sally’s: One Homeless man’s inspirational journey
It is unbelievable. I highly recommend.
Susan Bressler recently posted..Labor and Industries Investigates Death at Smurfit-Stone Recycling
Susan,
I read “Breakfast at Sally’s” and I was amazed at the insights of a person who fell from riches to poverty. And all the while he kept his amazing, loyal dog, even when someone offered to pay big bucks for him. Heartwarming story.
Thanks for sharing that.
Judy, as an English Literature major, I agree with you 100%. Sadly, I don’t read as much as I used to, but reading does give me blog fodder. It also gives me topics to talk about with others and makes life more interesting. Everyone should read!
The other key, is writing down ideas when they come to you. Every time I say “oh, I’ll remember that idea, I later forget it.” I have to write it down.
Thanks for yet another great post!
Arden,
Thanks for weighing in here. As a former educator, what saddens me most is that fewer kids have that role model: parents as readers. There is something very powerful that happens when kids see that their parents value reading and learning.
And yes, write that cool idea down. Quick! (Been there.) : )
A reading background gives
*the writer a higher standard against which to measure/inspire his or her own writing
*access to just the right phrase
*a deeper, richer vocabulary
*experiences to spark the creativity
I am reading Tender Graces by Kathryn Macgendie, a poetic, rich book.
In addition…
Looking at ads, photographs, and other design venues helps the viewer develop a better design sense and heightens creativity.
Jane,
Well said. Amazing benefits you have listed.
And thanks for the recommendation. I now have another book to put on my list.
Thanks Judy for another inspiring and truthful insight into creativity. Words and ideas do tend to evoke the response of more writing for me.
I’ve been a book lover from the days when my mom would take us to the library and I’d return with a stack of goodies. I just stumbled on the Blatant Bibliophile Blog, more fun is waiting.
Because my fiction and nonfiction are for dog lovers, I’m reading related good reads from “How to Speak Dog” to “The Story of Rin Tin Tin.” All are adding and multiplying my blog posts.
Deborah Taylor-French recently posted..Made You Look
Deborah,
Yes, those library days! For us, living in the country, it was the bookmobile. When we moved to this island and I saw a bookmobile again for the first time, I smiled. It visited us just every two weeks when I was a kid and so I, too, had to stock up. Sometimes you couldn’t see my head as I walked up the driveway with that huge pile of books.
Here is a book you might be interested in. My friend helped the author edit it before publication. It’s called Bella the Boxer. It’s about balancing the responsibilities and challenges of modern life—from the perspective of a dog.The author’s website is here:
http://www.bellatheboxer.com/book.html
And she is @BellaDogAuthor, in case you are on Twitter. I recently introduced her to another Twitter friend of mine, @winecountrydog.
What a great post. Reading books, looking at magazines, traveling( just a bus or car ride locally)gives me ideas. And yes, writing ideas down,keeping my camera ready are my fairy dust. Never thought of it that way, but may I borrow that idea of fairy dust? xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
Peggy,
If you are already watching and listening, you are on the right track. And reading a lot just helps us to be better observers of life.
Borrow the idea of fairy dust? Absolutely. Wasn’t my original and unique idea, anyway. : )
Judy, I find that reading MUST be a priority in order to become a better writer and blogger. Even if I have to squeeze time to read a few pages while working, cooking, or go to the restroom (don’t act like no one has done that. LOL).
Wow, to think that the percentage of people are not reading is staggering. People in oppressed countries would LOVE to be able to read people and people in free countries would rather drive by the libraries than drive into them. Amazing.
My question for you: How do you manage reading a book a week? Have you taken up speed reading or do you count how many pages you need to devour to finish?
E.J. Apostrophe recently posted..How To Rape Spiderman
E.J.,
I hear you. Our lives have just gotten so busy.
My book-a-week average? It got insanely easy when we pulled the plug on cable TV. I am not a speed reader. My husband probably goes through at least 2 books a week, but they are those suspense/thriller/horror paperbacks. I tend to read the books that make me ponder. So I take more breaks as I digest it all.
Oh, and I don’t take books into the bathroom but I hear that works for a lot of people. : )
I’m dyslexic and was once a reluctant reader. I always loved story and my parents read to me, but I didn’t read by myself. The battle with words was just too hard to win–when you have to stop to figure out each word it’s impossible to retain story flow.
That was then, this is now.
Now, I devour books–both writing and reading them. And, yes, I agree with you, the more I read the easier it is to write.
So, what happened? How did I grow from reluctance into love?
It was a combination of things.
-My parents continued to share their love for reading.
-I had a series of talented teachers who offered me irresistable literature.
-I found the work of John Steinbeck and others.
I think that might be the key to increase the number of readers, talk about your love and in this way infect others.
Leanne recently posted..Please welcome Author Sibelle Hodge
Leanne,
Wow. Thanks for sharing your personal story. I think I know what you must have gone through because I had a few dyslexic kids in my classroom. I admire your tenacity and thank God for your supportive parents (and teachers).
So glad you triumphed and are a “devourer of books” today.
I think I was a lot like you growing up, Judy. I read the backs of cereal boxes as well as billboards on the side of the road. I also used to devour books. I remember going to the library every couple day, checking out an armload of books, and reading them within a short time. I would often have five or six books spread around my room, they would all be open and I, surprisingly, would be reading them all. Sadly, as an adult, I have fallen away from being an avid reader. I didn’t realize until I became an adult that my love of books and reading was very unusual for someone with Attention Deficit. Now that I’m older, though, I have fallen away from reading and I think it is for the same reason that I don’t enjoy the movies the way I once did. The older I get, the harder it is for me to sit still long enough to watch a two hour movie let alone read a book for any length of time. I do find that taking public transportation allows me a little bit of time to read.
I also enjoy seeing what other people are reading when I’m traveling. The other day I was on the bus and the girl next to me was reading Edgar Allen Poe.
The Da Vinci Code was also one of the last books I read although I read it awhile ago. Right now, though, most of the books I am reading are non-fiction like How to Edit Yourself into Print and How to Write and Sell Your First Novel.
Judy, if you enjoy fantasy novels, you should check out Swan’s Song. I think the author is Robert McCammon. I read that several years ago and have re-read it several times since and it is a really good novel.
Sandi,
I think that in today’s environment, lots of people have dropped (or misplaced) their reading habits. When you look at the way we take in our information (in little bites—sound bites on TV news, 140 characters on Twitter), it’s not surprising.
And if You have ADD, it has to be just that much harder. Thanks for the recommendation. I’m not much into fantasy, but you never know. : )
Not that I’m an accomplished blogger, in fact still in infancy. However, I do get my inspiration from reading and music.
My taste in music and reading cover the whole spectrum. I laugh, but my last read was ‘I am not a serial killer’ by Wells; now that should make for an interesting blog post someday.
My challenge is getting these thoughts or topics down on paper and going from there. I think I will work on creating a ‘stockpile’ before I get strategic and start trying to drive people to my site.
Good read, thanks for the info.
Bill Dorman recently posted..What is that smell
Bill,
You are like me. The only music I can’t listen to is rap or country. Everything else I love.
If you write 6-8 “evergreen” posts first, you’ll be set to start promoting your blog. Some bloggers call it “cornerstone content,” but it’s really just quality stuff that is not time-sensitive and that gives new readers a sense of what your blog is all about.
Thanks for sharing here.
Judy, as I read your intro for this post, I had to interrupt myself to quote you on Twitter. That NPR stat just blows my mind. I don’t even know what to say about that. ?!?!?!!!??!!!
Me, I have to read. I love writing, it’s great, it’s my passion, it’s what keeps me sane — ut it also sucks me dry. When I write, I’m drinking deeply from that well, and I drink until the well is empty.
Reading fills it up again.
A few years ago, I did Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way. (I said “did” instead of “read” because that book is something to work through, not just read.) One of the exercises in the book was to spend a week not reading anything. Nothing more than traffic signs and work-related stuff, if possible.
I tried to follow the instructions. I really did. But when I found myself sitting in my in-laws’ bathroom, compulsively reading a magazine abridgment of Lewis’s The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, I knew I just couldn’t do it anymore.
I was starving, and that’s all there was to it. : )
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..Readers- A Question For You
Courtney,
I know. Those stats are sobering. And if adults aren’t reading, their kids, who are greatly impacted by what they do, aren’t seeing those parental role models. Scary.
I went through Cameron’s book 10 years ago (hard to believe it was that long ago) and I can say that it absolutely changed my life. I cheated a little on that no-rading week, too. It was the hardest section to get through. Several years later, I went back through my Artist’s Way notebook/journal and was amazing that 8 of the 10 things on the list I wrote that I said I wanted to do had been accomplished. Including moving to/living on an island! Almost spooky.
The power of words.
You put it so well. Reading fills you up and writing deletes you, so you have to read some more. I like that.
My time with Cameron’s book was three years ago. I can state with certainty that if I hadn’t done that book and woven its message into my heart, I would not be where I am today. I would not be writing, I would not be published, I would not be blogging, I would not be connected with some of the most amazing Creatives I’ve ever met.
Cameron’s book taught me about creative play, about filling up that well — preferably before I empty it completely! It’s easier to get that energy back if I haven’t sapped myself of every drop first! ; )
It’s inspiring to know that you’ve done that book too, Judy. You’re such a terrific mentor, so that makes me feel like I’m on a good track. : )
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..Win A Free Book!
Yes! Two Cameron converts! I have told many, many people about this book. (Should have had an Amazon affiliate or something.) : )
Ha! I do have an Amazon affiliate, but I always forget to use it. Oy vey.
Courtney Cantrell recently posted..The One Where I Publish a Book
My parents read to us when we were kids. My grandmother and uncle were writers. I can’t imagine a life without books. They fill my living room. I borrow them from the library because I am hungry for more.
When I finally found a way to write coherently and began to believe in my ability to do so, I learned to call on my memories of things I’ve read to find the words. I call it ‘writing by ear.’ And I couldn’t do it without reading. I agree with Courtney: no output without input. Gotta put gas in the car to drive somewhere.
I’ve been reading The Blood Red Horse by KM Grant; rereading Eat Pray Love; exploring The Hidden Messages in Water by Dr. Emoto; and trying to decide whether or not I want to finish Forever Amber (the heroine demonstrates all the worst feminine traits). Last year I read all of Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar books which are brilliant and have magic white horses (Companions) who mindspeak to their people. Yes, horses inspire me endlessly, and some day I’ll find more ways to write about them while writing about marketing.
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Barbara,
You had a childhood similar to mine. I still remember a line from a book when I was very small. “Crabs have stalks for eyes and usually walk sideways in the water.” Ha! For some reason, that fact, and the corresponding illustration in the picture book, must have really impressed me.
‘Writing by ear.’ I love that. Come to think of it, that sounds like my style, too.
Thanks for sharing your recent reads. I loved Eat, Pray, Love.
Judy -
“Crabs have stalks for eyes and usually walk sideways in the water.” I can just see the illustration, and I don’t know if I had the same book!
Writing by ear, seeing the crabs . . . reminds me that memorable and engaging writing touches all our senses.
Barbara Breckenfeld recently posted..12 ways to create curb appeal for your business
Excellent! Reading is so important for so many reasons, including insight, perspective, inspiration, learning, and the list goes on. It is sad to read that statistic on reading. People need to pick up books and engage in a new world of understanding and excitement.
Thanks for this post! Jon
Jon recently posted..Have You Lived a Newspaper Headline
Jon,
With the new media, we have just become so fractured, haven’t we? One of my greatest pleasures is still curling up with a good book in the evening. Thanks for sharing your thoughts here.
I like this post and the suggestions. Reading a lot myself, I never thought of using the content of books for blogging (other then extending my vocabulary). I started about 4 different topics I could blog. So, my next step is to show a bit more of myself, to put more of myself into my blog posts, this might get me a better connection to people. =)
Andrea,
Thanks for reading. Even if books don’t give you ideas for unique stories of your own, I think that reading a lot just makes writing easier, don’t you? Keep reading and your blogging (and writing) will continue to improve. : )
You are right. Something just came into my mind. Whenever I get stuck in my writing I would read a few things on the topic I’m writing about, and that would give me new ideas to go on. So why not doing this for blogging, too? Just never thought of it this way round. Thanks for your support and tips! =)
Well, if this doesn’t make me sit up at attention! I LOVE to read, and I remember getting my first library card when I just turned 5 and my sister got hers at the same time at 3 years old.
(I also read the entire cereal box — including the nasty ingredients list!)
I regret that now I rarely read fiction, and as you say, business books don’t count!
Since blogger’s block does indeed plague me from time-to-time, I absolutely can see that I need to make time to regularly read some fiction.
Thanks, Judy, for the powerful reminder from the Queen of Blogging!
Tshombe,
Since we made the decision to pull the plug on cable TV, I am reading so much more. The only thing I ever watched TV for was the news. And that’s available on the Web, Plus, we have our radio and can listen to the news (and NPR!) in the morning with our breakfast.
So, for me, it’s at least 2 hours of reading a night. : )
It may be because I’m still new, but I don’t get writers block for long. When I don’t know what to write, then it’s time to read (as you suggested). I read other blogs, check out Twitter and Facebook. I watch television. I read magazines. I read books.
It’s amazing where ideas will come from. I keep a spiral notebook with me at all times and I jot down ideas. The best advice I received (besides: if it’s not there, then create it) is to keep a week’s worth of blogs in the hopper so that I always have something to post.
I’m not up to a week yet, but I have several days. I love blogging!
Through the Lens of Kimberly Gauthier, Photography Blog recently posted..When You Don’t Have a Photography Mentor
Kimberly,
Glad to have connected with you on biznik.com and welcome to the CatsEyeWriter blog! It is amazing where ideas come from, isn’t it? Sometimes in the most unlikely places. And jotting down ideas for new posts is a nice habit to get into. Good to see your enthusiasm for blogging. : )
Re: “27 percent of Americans did not read one book last year.” <== Ouch!
Frankly, I can't do that. I always have to be reading something. I'm currently reading "Killing Giants" by Stephen Denn and "On Writing" by Stephen King.
There's a quote I read somewhere that goes something like: "Write even when you don't feel like it. And when you can't write, read."
Basically, those two things are what will inspire you to be a better writer. There's no other formula or shortcut for it.
I know what you mean about not reading. I went through Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way several years back and couldn’t get through the challenge of giving up reading for a week. I think I made it three days or something.
I love King’s book, On Writing!
Yep, I’m enjoying it so far