Why you should read before writing

If you’ve heard of ‘look before you leap’, read before you write should not come as a surprise to you. Whether you cozy up with a good book or deep dive into a research paper, it’s crucial to read before you put pen to paper. But why? Here’s why reading can sprinkle some literary magic into your writing mix.

Inspiration infusion: Think of reading as your secret potion for summoning creativity. It’s like a treasure hunt through the endless shelves of literature. Here, each word holds a sparkling gem of inspiration waiting to be discovered.

Skill-up shuffle: Love reading? Now go beyond just enjoying the stories. Find a sneaky way to level up your writing skills. Reading is the best academy for wordsmiths. From crafting killer sentences and plotting twists, you can master it all.

Vocabulary wizards: Set sail through the seas of literature, like exploring uncharted islands of language. Each new book you read is a new island of shiny new words and phrases. Add them to your treasure chest of vocabulary and see the magic.

Safari rides: How about a wild genre safari? Reading beyond your favourite genre is like going on an epic quest to uncover its deepest secrets. Uncover hidden spells and tame the tough-looking genre in a jiffy.

Tour or detour: You learn a lot from good books. But you learn even better with bad books. You gain writing wisdom through someone else’s mistakes. Like a crash course in “How Not to Write 101.” Enjoy the bumpy ride.

Trending talks: Stay hip and happening. Reading keeps you in the loop with all the latest in the word universe. Get a VIP invite to the coolest party in town and sway your writing towards all-things-now.

Plot it:  Whether it’s a jaw-dropping plot twist or a heart-wrenching character act – you’re in for an overwhelming experience. Find endless inspiration to bring your own story alive.

Hello, empathy: Walked a mile in someone else’s shoes? Walk a little more. Till you get the vibrant kaleidoscope of human experiences – fantastical, mundane and more. Feel the weird and wonderful about the world we live in, one page at a time.

Don’t like books? No problem. Read columnists. Read social media or poems. Or a research paper, if that interests you. Just grab your reading glasses and read. ‘cos what awaits in between the pages is the key to your writing. Dive in and let your imagination run wild!

If books aren’t your cup of tea, fret not. Engage with columnists, delve into social media posts, explore poetry, or immerse yourself in research papers. Just grab your reading glasses and read. The eloquence of a columnist, the brevity of a tweet, the beauty of a verse, or the depth of research, each word read can fuel the fire of creativity within you. Dive in and let your imagination run wild. As you discover new genres and not-so-bestsellers, you will see your imagination run free. And that is the key to your writing.