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I've said it before and I will say it again: as writers,
we have often effectively proven just how creative we are. For example, we are able to justify why waiting one more day to
sit down and write that book, why we become involved in certain experiences in order to authenticate a description of a landmark,
and so on. But in many cases, we overlook other things as well.
Example: we enjoy writing nonfiction
and do not make connections with ideas of other writers as we try to discover our own. For one thing, we are afraid that we
will inadvertently "lift" a given writer's idea and use it as our own. This is why quite a few fiction writers do not read
novels, assuming that there is a risk.
However, when it comes to nonfiction, we writers do not have excuses. We should
read more, but don't, because many of us are wrapped up in our own work and deadlines. And while this is understandable, we
still do not have an excuse. Just because we are used to doing things a certain way, such as writing every day at 6 pm, and
our routines work for us, we tend to get too comfortable and slip into an easy rut.
And how easy it is! If that keeps
up long enough, the rut becomes larger and deeper and just thinking about climbing out of it is enough to make us tired. So
what should we do?
Pretend we are still in school and force ourselves to make time to read. At first, perhaps reading
one book a week will serve the purpose. And later on, when we are more used to having reading as part of our daily writing
routines, we can possibly fit two books in per week.
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This is easy and free. Just visit
the local library, and if that library does not have anything you want to read, try another larger library --- and borrow
just one book. Even if you found more than one and want to borrow them all, promising yourself that you will read them all
when you get them home. Sorry to disappoint you, but it doesn't work that way. I found that out from my own experience.
Another
thing I learned was how to curb my temptation to expand my search into the nearest bookstore. Not only would I find the book
I wanted to buy, but three or four others as well!! Now in addition to spending time, I've spent money unnecessarily. And
chances are good that I will temporarily forsake my current writing project(s) in order to read my newly-purchased books.
The consolation was being able to keep my books, while trying to make time to read them all.
I should have
just borrowed one book from the library and made life easier. It doesn't take a lot of time to read just one book and expand
one's mind. But the benefits of gaining more ideas as grist for writing are unmeasurable. Why let another opportunity slip
away?
Start reading that book today -- then write.
Happy writing!
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