Writerly Wednesdays

Your Writing Voice: Read To Write

“Peter, I haven’t read a single book about how to write.”

The load of books I carried flew from my hands. Like missiles, they launched into the air. “You’ve got to be kidding me! I find that impossible to believe.”

I was at a book signing, and next to my table was one of the world’s leading authors. I’d been setting up my table when she dropped the bomb. And now, as I looked past raining copies of my book, Gideon’s Call, I saw shame and embarrassment in the author’s eyes.

How to fix this? Being a beginner in the author world, I couldn’t afford to offend. “Your books read as if you’ve mastered the art.”

She shrugged.

The answer hit me about the same time a copy of my book did. “You’re a voracious reader.”

She nodded and then changed the subject. Thankfully, now we’re close friends.

The truth remains. This author is highly respected, and her books are award-winning. So, how is it done?

Simple. A writer analyzes novels. Analyze and reproduce.

The writer I spoke with had been a critical reader her entire life, and it showed.

She’d read one hundred, sometimes two hundred pages a day, and when she wrote, her analytical mind whispered sweet suggestions into her ear. The plot is too slow hereKill someone in the manuscript. Fifty-five secondary characters are too many. You can’t just end the book with a nuclear explosion and kill everyone.

I believe in studying the art of writing. I devour books on how to write. I started analyzing novels as well, and it’s helped. There’s a voice in my head that whispers NO! It doesn’t make sense for two manly cowboys to walk into a saloon and split a cinnamon roll. I take it out because the voice explains there’s not enough tension. Unless, of course, one cowboy gets a more significant piece, and a gunfight ensues. But the idea isn’t marketable.

Don’t forget the importance of reading novels and critically analyzing them! And soon, you’ll have your own style of writing.

Not all views expressed are those of every member of ICW.

Author

  • Peter Leavell

    Peter Leavell, a graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history and a MA in English Literature, was the 2011 winner of the Christian Writers Guild’s Operation First Novel contest and 2013 Christian Retailing’s Best award for First-Time Author, along with multiple other awards. An author, blogger, teacher, ghostwriter, jogger, biker, husband, and father, Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter’s books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com

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