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Writing Your First Novel: Reading Widely Matters
Absorb different styles to strengthen storytelling.
Writing a novel requires creativity, discipline, and an understanding of storytelling. To become a better writer, be an active reader.
Reading is more than a pastime, it’s training. Gain insights into pacing, structure, character development, and dialogue.
If you write psychological horror, study books like Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn or The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. These will help you understand how to build tension.
These novels use unreliable narrators, slow-burn reveals, and chilling character psychology to keep readers on edge. Absorb these techniques and apply similar strategies to your own writing.
Read outside your comfort zone.
Mystery and Thriller: Pay attention to how suspense is created. Authors layer uncertainty and deliver twists.
Fantasy: Study world-building. Small details create fictional universes.
Literary Fiction: Observe how language shapes tone. Focus on character depth and emotional nuance.
Science Fiction: Futuristic concepts are introduced without overwhelming the story.
