Reading for Writers: Jude Deveraux’s For All Time

I started to read Jude Deveraux’s A Knight in Shining Armour after watching an inspiring (and funny) interview where she talked about how she found her inspiration for this book. But then my husband kidnapped my Kindle, so instead, I settled …

Reading for Writers: A New Kind of Book Review

While reading up on how to become a better writer, one of the pieces of advice that struck me was that I needed to read as a writer.

This meant that though reading is a big part of becoming a better writer in the role of a reader (blog post for this to follow soon!), it’s essential to read as a writer, too.

Let me explain.

I love reading Nora Roberts’ books. And while it’s so easy for me to become lost in the world she has created, after reading this advice, I tried to take a step back and become more objective. I took note of what it was about her writing that made me enjoy her books as a reader. I realised that she creates immensely relatable heroines, likeable heroes and a plot that puts them together in ways that brings out the best and worst of these two characters.

She also pays attention to detail in a way that I haven’t seen from many other writers.

If the heroine is a firefighter, the reader will know exactly what each day is like for her. Or if the hero is a caretaker, we’ll know just how much attention he pays to his charge. The details aren’t brushed over, which does wonders for the credibility of the book.

So why is this important?

Well, now that I’ve read a Nora Roberts’ book as a writer, I can start using what I’ve learnt from her in my own writing. In others words, I will pay attention to making my main characters relatable and likeable, I will make sure my plot takes them on a journey that tests themselves as individuals and in their relationship, and I will pay more attention to detail.

Since I’m speaking about this is more general terms, it may be hard for you to understand what I mean. Which is why I thought I’d introduce a new category to my blog called “Reading for Writers”. What I aim to do with this is share with you what I’ve learnt as a writer from a specific book that I’ve been reading. It will be a kind of book review, from one writer to another.

I’m really excited about this idea, so I’ll be sharing my first Reading for Writers review in this week. Let me know what you think about this idea, and stay tuned for my next post!