TODAY’S QUOTE:
“You need to read everything. Read fiction, non-fiction, magazines, newspapers. Read history, historical fiction, biography. Read mystery novels, fantasy, SF, horror, mainstream, literary classics, adventure, satire. Every writer has something to teach you, for good or ill. (And yes, you can learn from bad books as well as good ones — what not to do).”George R.R. Martin, via the author’s FAQ for fans
MY THOUGHTS:
This is advice that you might have come across elsewhere too. Usually it is said that in order to write well you need to read a lot. A twist on this tip is that you should read not just anything but “across genres” i. e. you need to come out of your reading comfort zone.
What do you think? I would love to know.
You can drop me a line in my comments section, or write a post of your own. Just remember to tag it #blogginginsights
Salted Caramel 
I try to read different things and genre’s, new articles, fiction,. Trying to think of other formats, lol.
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Way to go 👏
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That is a good quote and great advice. I typically read books across 4-5 different genres plus I count reading blogs as reading – newspapers don’t count… I find flash fiction to be particularly interesting and helpful. Each is a short story and generally the hardest to write.
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I am glad you liked the quote.
Writing a short piece that is interesting and meaningful is quite a challenge.
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Here’s my offering Dr T
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=84591&action=edit&classic-editor
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Please delete above link. Should be this one
https://pensitivity101.wordpress.com/2022/06/06/blogging-insights-new-format-read-a-lot/
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It is only by reading can you see how well a writer can use words to create life.
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Very well said.
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Yes, it is good to read books of different genre. Reading the same types of books becomes boring after some time. But I stop reading a book which does not hold my interest in the first chapter. Why waste time 2hn there are so many books to read?
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Reading across genres is a good idea.
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Thanks for the advice on wide reading across genre. One also need cross cultural reading. Many western scholars seem to have blind spots on other cultures, partly due to arrogance, partly fear, or whatever perspective . All they need to do is to switch on their TV to listen to other news, n see beyond the propaganda of both sides. And we are limited by time and availability of books. We are , in a way, conditioned by what we read; by our choices and priorities.
Dr.Lim, http://www.wonkywizard.wordpresd.com.
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Sorry, http://www.wonkywizard.wordpress.com
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I hear you about the cross culture reading . Recently I read a novel by Chimimanda Nagoze Adeche. Although set in a different culture and region, I found parts of it very relatable.
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Here’s my rather late in the day thoughts: https://sparksfromacombustiblemind.wordpress.com/2022/06/08/blogging-insights-yep-its-late-6-6-2022/
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Personally, I don’t think words are the ONLY element that makes “great writing”. Emotion and relatability are powerful attributes, too.
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Emotion and relatability are truly important, but how do we convey them?
Through words?
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Behavior too
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Absolutely 💯
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