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:   / how-to-read-like-a-writer  

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Behind-the-scenes notes for this video: https://ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Sce...

My Published Stories and Poems: https://www.quotidianwriter.com/my-wr...

Twitter:   / quotidianwriter  

Opening Animation by Vitor A. Dupont: https://www.behance.net/vitordupont

Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept -    • Fantasy Music - Vindsvept - Clockwork  

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/l...

Mike Bunn’s Essay “How to Read Like a Writer”: https://wac.colostate.edu/docs/books/...

Ira Glass Recording (Full Version):    • Ira Glass on Storytelling 3  

“How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension as an Adult” by Christine Ro on Book Riot: https://bookriot.com/improve-your-rea...

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”:   / on-book-burning-and-the-magic-of-libraries  

My Essay “Not All Rainbows: Rise of the Queer Antihero”: https://aninjusticemag.com/not-all-ra...

My Reading and Analysis of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe:    • Learning to Write Horror from Edgar Allan ...  

List of Book Recommendations: https://www.quotidianwriter.com/book-...

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)