How to Read Like a Writer

Рет қаралды 153,770

Күн бұрын

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
Love my channel? Treat me to a cup of coffee at ko-fi.com/quotidianwriter.
Behind-the-scenes notes for this video: ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Sce...
My Published Stories and Poems: www.quotidianwriter.com/my-wr...
Twitter: / quotidianwriter
Opening Animation by Vitor A. Dupont: www.behance.net/vitordupont
Title and End Music: “Clockwork” by Vindsvept - • Fantasy Music - Vindsv...
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: www.dailygood.org/story/1941/l...
Mike Bunn’s Essay “How to Read Like a Writer”: wac.colostate.edu/docs/books/...
Ira Glass Recording (Full Version): • Ira Glass on Storytell...
“How to Improve Your Reading Comprehension as an Adult” by Christine Ro on Book Riot: bookriot.com/improve-your-rea...
Wuthering Heights Fan Art by Illustrator Kelley McMorris (used with permission): www.kmcmorris.com
My Essay “On Book Burning and the Magic of Libraries”: / on-book-burning-and-th...
My Essay “Not All Rainbows: Rise of the Queer Antihero”: aninjusticemag.com/not-all-ra...
My Reading and Analysis of “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe: • Learning to Write Horr...
List of Book Recommendations: 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)

Пікірлер: 250

@QuotidianWriter 2 жыл бұрын

Hi there, viewers! You can read a text version of this video on Medium: quotidianwriter.medium.com/how-to-read-like-a-writer-22e2d13b02bc Check out my behind-the-scenes notes and sources referenced in the video on my Ko-fi blog: ko-fi.com/post/Behind-the-Scenes-How-to-Read-Like-a-Writer-Y8Y76W7UF

@munafghori4052 2 жыл бұрын

Please make a video on how to generate ideas for writing. I mean how the content and substance should be created like a good writer does. I too wish to write and I have topic to write about but I don't know what to write, what information I put forth. I tired common techniques like free-writing and listing etc but none work. Now I am working on Russell brand (british comedian) advice who said that write what things affects you. This seems little plausible and workable. But yet this advice doesn't allow me to write very long and lengthy content. So I wish from you to make videos on how to generate ideas, content and substances, particularly long and lengthy.

@lonethealoneone5554 2 жыл бұрын

Hey , hi ! - fan from India 🇮🇳

@bookaholic1431 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@lonethealoneone5554 2 жыл бұрын

Please make a video on how to get deeper into my own characters and that how the story should go through a phase of transition from one plot to another. I really need that, because that is what readers love the most and is a sugar for their entertainment.

@lonethealoneone5554 2 жыл бұрын

How to build a fictional world in such a way that the readers do not over read or under read.

@hexusziggurat 2 жыл бұрын

7 steps to employ during Active Reading 1. Ask meaningful questions 2. Articulate your opinions - and use evidence 3. Annotate or keep a reading log 4. Create something inspired by what you read 5. Target specific writing skills you want to improve 6. Examine the larger context 7. Reread

@IntuitiveYakOfAllTrades 2 жыл бұрын

Hmm. The moon is her mother. Reminds me of this exchange. Sokka: My girlfriend turned into the moon. Zuko: That’s rough, buddy.

@ayushisharma9038 2 жыл бұрын

Reading books like a writer is important because one cannot just write the examination without understanding of concepts for which reading the textbook is necessary. And thanks to this channel that we can find a teacher who makes us understand the concepts.

@user-uz7dm6qn3y 2 жыл бұрын

As they say, it takes ten years to become an overnight success.

@historywithhilbert146 2 жыл бұрын

A new upload? Today just got even better!

@largecoke4087 2 жыл бұрын

Hilbert dilbert shirt burp

@vinceven 2 жыл бұрын

i read movie novelizations like a writer. seeing how an accomplished author interprets the dry language of a screenplay and fills it with descriptions and life is very helpful. and i can go back to a particularly good scene and read how the author describes it.

@rohitsuryawanshi8382 2 жыл бұрын

I am currently reading 'Giovanni's Room' and I just feel like reading each line, again and again, there is so much emphasis on the emotions poured into the vivid descriptions and the philosophy that comes out of it.

@Ruylopez778 2 жыл бұрын

Great point about re-reading allows us to focus more on how the elements are put together just like rewatching a movie. As for the last point about the gap between a writer and their idols they aspire to be like and the time it takes, Vonnegut said, 'Anyone who has finished writing a book, whether it was published or not, whether it was any good or not, is a comrade.' Gaiman also talks casually about the moment in writing his manuscript where he calls his agent to say it's a disaster and he can't possibly finish, and the agent reminds him this crisis happens every time.

@perymachado6374 2 жыл бұрын

God, how I missed that closer..."whatever you do, keep writing." Warms my heart on these chilly autumn days. I spent the last couple of months reading the Song of Ice and Fire books (aka, Games of thrones books). I'm not a fantasy person at all (historical and crime fiction mostly) but I was completely mesmerized by what GRRM created. Character development, world-building, description, intrigue, epic battles and one-on-one duels, killer pacing, hundreds and hundreds of pages that did not feel laborious to read, they were page turners. They have become some of my favourite novels, and I plan to reread them again and take notes because they are truly masterclasses on how a great writer creates a compelling story. Brilliant.

@PedroKrick 2 жыл бұрын

This analogy with music is great. Just like when I'm listening to some part of a nice song and I stop it when there's a nice cadence immediately I ask myself "how did they do that?" And then sometimes I try to find out what happened there by playing it myself. And even though with music things are usually faster, like just finding out 3 chords that make the difference on the song, I'm starting to do this with book passages or chapters that make me lose track of time while reading it.

@TheVelvetIris 2 жыл бұрын

I too find many parallels between music and reading. After learning music analysis at uni, I find myself thinking of the overall structure af a book very much the same way I would approach analyzing a movement or even a whole symphony.

@GenesisMediusFin 2 жыл бұрын

Every time I hear the music in the opening it makes me feel like a curious little kid in an old book story! All the possibilities and teachings! I am always so excited to learn from your insight, study, and work. Thank you for all the wonderful videos you have put out!

@koobidew4484 2 жыл бұрын

"Comparison is the thief of joy." My new lock screen wallpaper! I am addicted to these videos. I feel like I am in the spot where my taste is there but what I'm tasting is pure disappointment in my own work, and especially my motivation to do the work. This video specifically was a great encouragement and a wonderful motivator. I feel like I can finally develop a structure for how I do my work and goals to achieve. Thank you 💜

@BillNessworthyPhotography 2 жыл бұрын

Great video on close-reading for writers. I've read a few books on this sort of depth - Mrs Dalloway, Pnin, White Noise, If Beale Street Could Talk - I think an important first step is finding those books that really move you, that you can dive into and explore in this depth. I've read a few books where I started annotating heavily from the first page, only to get 50-100 pages in and find it a slog, because it wasn't the right book for me. These days I read 50 pages without a pen first, and then either go back to the beginning with a pen in hand, or put it back on my shelf.

@briteness 2 жыл бұрын

When I got an M.A. in history, I wrote a thesis that was basically a book. It was good. I was proud of it, and still am. It definitely changed the way I read books, in some of the ways spoken of here. The way to read like a writer is to be a writer. The way to become a writer is to write something, then focus on making it the best it can possibly be. Justify every sentence, every word. Make sure everything you want in it is included, with nothing extraneous. Once you have turned it into something that you and at least one other trustworthy person consider to be worthy of publication, you will be able to read like a writer.

@SheegogProductions 2 жыл бұрын

I just finished the Crooked Kingdom duology, and as I was reading it I thought, "I can't wait to read this again and figure out how she makes this so good!" There are so many things I want to learn from Bardugo, like worldbuilding, how to transition to backstory, how to create such intriguing characters, how to plant clues in plain sight. Also, her dialogue is killer!

@Joy-wd9ez 2 жыл бұрын

You should read The Language of Thorns next. It's a collection of shirt stories by her.

@DolceFioreRosa 2 жыл бұрын

@@Joy-wd9ez Where did you get the pretty designs around your name? I’d like to find something similar 🙂

@Joy-wd9ez 2 жыл бұрын

@@DolceFioreRosa I just Googled a font generator and types my name in that specific one(I'm sorry I don't remember exactly which, but it was on some site😭) copied and pasted☺️

@DolceFioreRosa 2 жыл бұрын

@@Joy-wd9ez Wasn’t expecting a response so soon! I found it, though I was really hoping for a different design. Doesn’t seem to be many out there. Thanks again 🌹

@Joy-wd9ez 2 жыл бұрын

@@DolceFioreRosa glad I could help💖

@SadbhW 2 жыл бұрын

This channel's intro is my absolute favourite, it actually evokes that feeling when you're completely lost in a book

@jessinna 2 жыл бұрын

This is honestly one of my favourite channels. Its always so great to see that you've uploaded!!

@john80944 2 жыл бұрын

This is what I thought recently. I think writing is almost all about taste, because all you need to do is edit your work to fit your own brain, so if you have taste, you already have done half of the job, all you need to do is actually writing and finishing it.

@pankajpathak0111 2 жыл бұрын

As always. You are amazing. Each of your posts are so insightful. I really appreciate the efforts that you put into making these videos. Keep it up and we will keep writing.

@therealkingofrhye 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your ongoing posts!

@notyourpieceofcake 2 жыл бұрын

This is the best thing that I've watched in a very long time! Can't tell how grateful I am to you. Stay blessed

@DalCecilRuno 2 жыл бұрын

It's like you read my mind! Reading is a skill! I was writing about that for one of my video scripts. I'm glad to hear this from you. You have a bigger audience and you're sharing this message! Thank you! 💙

@Naamtok 2 жыл бұрын

So excited to see your videos, Diane.

@gaganamanjunath732 2 жыл бұрын

This channel inspires me a lot! Thanks, Diane. ❤️

@mrincodi 2 жыл бұрын

Wow what a great video. And that quote at the end was amazing. Thanks!

@alkaloitongbam6684 2 жыл бұрын

Much needed.Thanks for this amazing video

@Krostovik 2 жыл бұрын

“The bronze horseman” by Paulina Simmons, is a book I’ve read dozens of times, for the plot, the characterizations and overall writing style that’s so compelling it made me feel part of the story, and made me care about the characters. It’s also the one book that inspired me to want to write. I’ve always been an avid reader and enjoyed books for their content, but realizing that a story could make me feel so much so easily, made my want to try my hand at writing, although I’m in that phase where I can see in the distance what I’d like to accomplish with my writing while I’m on the side where nothing I write is good enough. More often than not Its disconcerting and go back to just reading instead, but that want and need to write my own works is always there.

@Ericwest1000 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your insights and your love of reading, Diane!

@MxZui 2 жыл бұрын

One of the best writing channels on KZfaq! 💖💖💖

@Benchmark243 Жыл бұрын

Your videos are good. I am planning to study creative writing at postgraduate level to improve my writing skills. I started watching videos on creative writing because of this ambition and I want you to know that you are a blessing to humanity. Thank you.

@hellopumpkin86 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. I’m happy you’re back! ❤️

@thehealthclan 2 жыл бұрын

Diane thank you so much for sharing with us.

@felixfifeauthor 2 жыл бұрын

I love the quote about 'our taste' at the end of the video. So realistic and encouraging. Also I recently re-read The Great Gatsby from a writer perspective and learned so much. It really works

@lilywrites4357 2 жыл бұрын

ur videos inspire me a lot thanku so much Diane😊💚

@alerciosimbine4870 2 жыл бұрын

Loved the video, I needed this.

@makishimirian4026 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, this video was exactly what I needed right now

@cleggbancroft 2 жыл бұрын

This video is right on time!!! I am working on a project, and I have long ago stopped flipping pages the way I used to. I have become a color code labeling freak; now, I study the books I read. Good Stuff Miss Callahan!!!

@pieroduharterondon7377 2 жыл бұрын

Your channel is a blessing.

@cannonfodder4376 2 жыл бұрын

The notification for this new video brought a smile to my face. Always soothing to listen to and learn from. As someone who has been paying closer attention to the stories I am reading this video provided some very good tips on what to do to further my attentions. The same goes with shows and movies as well for I found myself analyzing how the new DUNE movie was made in comparison to the book. Seeing and thinking about how Denis set out to adapt the book and how he went about it. The "book stick" in particular looks very concise, clear and useful as a template to organize my thoughts as well. Going to borrow that format if you don't mind for I know just the superlative Honor Harrington fanfic story I want to talk about on a forum. How this writer improved upon the universe and material and even surpassed the author is something I have been meaning to articulate clearly. Just another superb and informative video Diane. 😊

@olivia7316 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful upload as always and perfect timing! Just this weekend I wanted to understand the plot development of a book I enjoyed and aspire to as a writer. My aim was to better assess where my own story could improve its pacing. I wrote a short synopsis of each chapter, with any foreshadowing or clues that I felt might be explained later on. It’s helped me understand a lot about my own story :) thanks for the upload! I’ve plenty more to consider for when I do this again.

@paulapoetry 2 жыл бұрын

Great video. Deep reading and rereading are vital for writers, as they help us to learn so much from the books we read. There's much more to the process than reading as many books as possible. 😀❤

@prashantkumar4217 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for this video. 💖 It's often through these advices do we get to see if they challenge our subconsciously trained habits, or are they complementing them. The example of MEMENTO is totally relatable. On second watch I admired the work of Nolan. Same goes for Inception (my favorite movie). Though I'm not a fan of rereading every single book, but I do go over to my favorite ones to pick up the breadcrumbs the writer has sprinkled along the way as I'm a big fan of foreshadowing. Happy reading! ✨

@Myfreetherapy 2 жыл бұрын

I subscribed after the first video I watched from you. 18:00 - 19:38 in this video actually made me cry. Thank you so much for this. X

@fosevn613 2 жыл бұрын

I think this just changed my life it applies to so many more mediums

@katevenhorst1723 2 жыл бұрын

I absolutely love your videos. And I have to say, it’s freaky, the timing of this video. I’ve been asking myself “I wonder how successful writers read” and then boom…here you are! T

@umarasad4141 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent video, man. Good going.

@selftaughtkh 2 жыл бұрын

Truly love your content. Found your channel today. Totally worth it.

@QuotidianWriter 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for your kind words, Panha! Keep writing! :)

@heerupadhyay783 2 жыл бұрын

Yay, first? Was just watching reedsy thinking about you!!!!!!!!!!!

@autumncosandaffect9735 2 жыл бұрын

oh, you are awesome and I really needed Ira today.. thank you

@kmclaughlin4837 2 жыл бұрын

i just found this and this is so helpful, I’ve struggled with reading and really feeling confident in what i’ve read. like knowing that i’ve read a lot and that i got, the information got into my brain. I’m doing a school project on it too and this will be really helpful for me!

@leonmayne797 2 жыл бұрын

The music at the beginning and end is haunting as always, and really sets the tone for the videos.

@whittvera9184 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. This help me so much. Waiting for the next one :'D

@danieljackson654 2 жыл бұрын

Actually, I'm working on the other problem: Write a book like a Reader. Good Video.

@jiru1015 2 жыл бұрын

Finally! After 2 months of waiting, here it is!

@tabathajimenez8302 2 жыл бұрын

I'm your 100.000 subscriber!! Congrats!

@robertsantana3261 Жыл бұрын

I have learned lots by reading Richard Price’s Ladies’ Man and Plath’s The Bell Jar. And, of course, from your wonderful, amazing videos, Diane.

@TheMusicscotty 2 жыл бұрын

Whoa. New upload! Christmas comes early!

@jhovanielperez4763 2 жыл бұрын

You earned a new subscriber, this was a great video! Thanks so much.

@yoopermichigan 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Diane, I enjoy the channel!

@InnerTuned Жыл бұрын

I am so thankful for this video. While watching, I was inspired into a moment of self-realization, where I remembered that I enjoy cultivating a new skill. The video has changed the way I look at reading: it now has renewed sense of meaning and a whole new dimensionality that was previously unrecognized. Thank you!

@jeanbastien9424 2 жыл бұрын

Your content is just amazing!

@MikeBates 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this video. The last from Ira Glass was extremely helpful!

@zhanazhana1001 2 жыл бұрын

This is brilliant. Thank you 💛 The goal before was to read as many book as possible. Now I take about 2-3 weeks to read a book. I will be reading “The City & The City” by China Meville like a writer

@jadahmannart 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing these tips! I’ve always had the feeling that I’m not really comprehending the books I read and not fully understand joying them. I also want to be able to explain books I read to other people who ask me about them and I think this is really helpful. Thank you!

@saldanamoreno 2 жыл бұрын

This was so helpful, and enormously inspirational.

@berryXjerry216 2 жыл бұрын

What a coincidence! I was just watching one of your old videos 🤣

@SonYugioh 2 жыл бұрын

It's definitely a good day when you upload a video

@mrnnhnz Жыл бұрын

Thanks Diane, insightful as always. I appreciate your taking an analytical and yet also creative approach to this subject, doing the hard-yards, and sharing your insights with us. In answer to your question, I think I'd like to study the writing of Harry Harrison in his Stainless Steel Rat series. I don't know if I'll ever attempt that sort of thing myself, though I do enjoy writing science fiction. I think the things I've found most enjoyable about that series are the fun concepts brought to us in a digestable way by a loveable rogue of a character. And the fast pace. I think having some fast-paced sections in my books would be good, even if the whole thing isn't as fast and exciting as those books are almost all the way through.

@adityamali5356 2 жыл бұрын

Couldn't be better timing. I have always thought of myself being a good reader and this video was smack on the head. Examples along side mentioned steps really gave insight what you are trying to say. Thanks to you I am starting over my current read '1984' by George Orwell.

@lonethealoneone5554 2 жыл бұрын

Please make a video on how to get deeper into my own characters and that how the story should go through a phase of transition from one plot to another in a way that the writers do not get bored because of a sudden change in the plot. These 2 questions, especially the second one is what many writers lack.

@nerdmommy7114 2 жыл бұрын

Oh wow! This is gold!!! Thank you for making this video. I really wanted to learn writing by reading. Also I wanted to know if should I read a hundred bools before attempting to write. Then you also made a video about it. Your content is gold!!!

@DamienZshadow 2 жыл бұрын

What a fantastic message to leave off on! I need the full song or just the opening you use on loop when I write because I associate it with creativity and depth. You are a fantastic and rich treasure to the internet. Thank you for all that you do for us blooming writers.

@QuotidianWriter 2 жыл бұрын

I truly appreciate your kind words! You can listen to the song on a loop over on Vindsvept's channel, by the way. ;) Keep writing! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/b8CcZ6h4sdXNeWw.html

@sharoncurran6622 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, timely and encouraging for me, right now. Thank you again.

@rehashed6840 2 жыл бұрын

I'm reading different genres of books, and I need to provide some structured criticism later on. Your new video appeared in my suggested videos, and I guess the YT algorithm did something right this time. Your tips are well-explained and useful with the things I want to accomplish. Thanks for providing quality non-Tiktok-type of video. KZfaqrs like you are rare nowadays.

@CDAL0 2 жыл бұрын

Great Insights. Thanks.

@santiagosatori 2 жыл бұрын

The quote from Ira Glass was an amazing finale to this video. I've been writing for decades and never seemed to reach what I aspired to write. I would write, quit for some time, months or years, and then start again. I've done this for decades. It hasn't been until these last few years where my work is beginning to appear the way I imagine it. It's because I figured out how to write consistently, every day no matter how I feel about it. I just write. The work gets better as time goes on. Thank you for the video.

@JGVIllustrations 2 жыл бұрын

I love that last quote omg 🥰

@hpuniverse9365 2 жыл бұрын

You always inspire me to write ... ❤ Great video

@SeeNof-mt2dz 2 жыл бұрын

holy moly! finally a new video

@bookaholic1431 2 жыл бұрын

Once I took the quiz 'Which Kind of Reader Are You' and I got the result: You read like a writer!😂🤩 Thank you for the amazing content!!!👏

@charlottefrench6849 2 жыл бұрын

The last words from Ira Glass ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and as always so well put together Thank You 🙏❤️

@devinstevens857 2 жыл бұрын

Analyzing poetry, I've personally found, is an effective way to learn how language works.

@katka584 2 жыл бұрын

This is gold🤩

@ashleyrhy5722 2 жыл бұрын

The Bell Jar. I'm reading it right now for the first time and noticing Sylvia Plath's beautiful writing style. I think once I finish this read through, I'm going try some of these.

@Understanding_Football 2 жыл бұрын

This is a great video.. really made me think as a budding writer.. thank you for this 👍🙏

@bernardmulligan5504 2 жыл бұрын

The Werewolf of Paris. It checks all the boxes for me. It was challenging and really comfortable at the same time. Blew my mind.

@gyanvarsha999 2 жыл бұрын

I have not watched your all videos, and even this one I am leaving in the middle due to some other work. But, your videos are very helpful and informative.

@firdausparvez1699 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this. :)

@AmandaInEly 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent advice

@drawingfandome 2 жыл бұрын

Brilliant idea Every book you read, you have to go on good reads and review using at least 3 paragraphs.

@theunwantedcritic Жыл бұрын

I might have seen one your video s couple of years ago. Since then I watch the whole bunch of other videos books, but I haven’t been writing very constantly. A few days ago the KZfaq algorithm sent me a video and I have been binging your content ever since.

@QuotidianWriter Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad to hear that! I hope you'll keep writing. :)

@prathameshrana2099 4 ай бұрын

I was avoiding this video don't know why. I saw many small videos and articals how to study from novels. This was the only video I thought will do nothing but damn this is the best video I should Have seen if before.

@dragonoverlord_2379 2 жыл бұрын

Great videos!

@elenasopi3254 2 жыл бұрын

I love you for this video

@QueenPrism 2 жыл бұрын

I started doing deep dives on Brent Weeks The way of shadows in the eight grade, I didn't even know I was reading like a writer I was just obsessed with his work and wanted to write like him! This was an amazing video, I sent it to my creative writing professor