The Transformative Influence of Fiction
You may not know, but I am an avid reader, I have explored 190+ books ranging from the collection of HG Wells, Shakespeare, Roald Dahl, and books by other renowned authors in the last 8 years. During this experience, I had significantly focused on the story, but for the last 6 months ( I have read 53 books), I am focusing on the format of the book.
I have experienced that many writers use their own different techniques to make their writing stand out. And in this article, I am here to guide you to the secret of revamping your own writing.
Exposure to Different Styles and Genres
Reading fiction exposes you to a wide range of writing styles, genres, and voices.
This helps you understand how different authors use language to convey their ideas and emotions. You can learn from their techniques and incorporate them into your own writing. Here’s an example:
“In 2150, the city was alive with neon lights, and smooth hovercrafts moved through the streets. Intelligent AIs were as smart as humans, and traveling between stars was as normal as going to work in the morning.”
In this text, the writer uses the genre of?
You’re right. The writer uses a science fiction genre.
What can be the style?
Futuristic, Technology? Right?
Expanding Vocabulary and Language Skills
Think about it. You are reading a sentence :
“She seemed like a magical fairy, making the room feel special.”
How does it look?
It looks simple. I’m not debating that simplification is wrong. It should be there. But the one thing missing here is elegance. This is one of the main ingredients of the secret sauce of excellent writing. Here’s one with elegance applied.
“Her presence was like a touch of magic, making the room feel truly special.”
Reading different styles helps you learn new words and how to use them. This makes your writing more detailed and clear.
Plot and Structure
Reading fiction exposes you to different approaches to plot development and story structure. You can learn about pacing, suspense, and creating engaging story arcs that captivate your readers. Here’s an example:
“As the sun set, Sarah’s heart raced. She had to find the hidden treasure before it fell into the wrong hands. “
Each step heightened the suspense, drawing the reader deeper. Unexpected twists kept them on edge until the end.
Emotional Impact on Readers
Great fiction has the power to sink strong emotions in readers. Seeing how authors make this can help you perceive how to create an emotional connection with your audience. Take this example from the famous Tuesdays with Morrie:
As Morrie spoke, I thought about how far I had come in my own life, and how little time I had left. There were so many things I wanted to do, so many things I had to say. Yet, there I was, sitting with a dying man, feeling the weight of his words as if they were the most precious things in the world. In that moment, I couldn’t help but confront my own mortality, and it was both terrifying and liberating.
Mitch Albom uses vivid descriptions to make an emotional impact on the reader.
feeling the weight of his words as if they were the most precious things in the world”
Understand Reader Engagement
As a reader, you can identify what keeps you engaged and what loses your interest. This knowledge is invaluable when it comes to keeping your own readers hooked on your work.
Voice and Perspective
Reading different authors helps you recognize and appreciat unique voices and perspectives. This can inspire you to find your own distinctive voice in your writing.
The next time you write, keep in mind these main things because these are the keys to better writing.
Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed this;
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