I do it every morning, restricting 30 minutes of copying. After that I analyze the sentences and the paragraphs as pacing. I recommend handwriting it. There is a difference between typing it and writing it down. Ever notice when you're writing your first draft, it is hard or slow to conceive a sentence even though your typing it on a keyboard? Well, handwriting a completed simulates that sensation, as if you are conceiving that sentence itself. I like this exercise because it's simple and you can devote small time to it.
I've only done it when I wanted to lose my default voice. For example, I handwrite passages from Middlemarch if I'm trying to capture a 19th century novel feel.
@izzybot @Safety Turtle Basically, the idea is to a) beat the "blank page" block by just writing something to get your fingers used to writing words, and b) feel how every word in the passage fits in with the rest of the passage. Instead of absorbing the passage holistically, you force yourself to look at the word-by-word level of construction, and feeling the specific word choices that the original author made in their work makes it easier to make an informed decision about whether you wish to make the same choices or not. ... Interesting
What about those of us with really shitty handwriting ? I have forgotten cursive, and my print is like hieroglyphics.
I don't really understand the point of the exercise really. I find that simply reading authors in a prefered genre will help learn technique. Copying someone's work down is more for just learning it if you're wanting to memorize it. Of course, maybe this is just me, I don't so much have an issue with getting words on paper...my problem is liking what I wrote. I've found though that if I don't like what I've written, then there's a reason why. It's not so much me being critical of myself, more like there's an actual problem that I simply can't put my finger on. Once I find the issue, I can then move on knowing it's solved.
Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. I can write a first draft pretty fast, but if I try to do it well, the process becomes slower than the creative flow. As I'm finishing fourth draft on my novel right now, and seeing that it'll need at least a couple more, it would be nice if copywork could help me write a better first (and second and third) draft so that I can be satisfied with my writing without having to spend an eternity on a single project. It does feel good to write down a great paragraph, even if it isn't mine. This is how I hope to benefit from copywork. For me, I think this would more efficient than just reading good writing.
Hi, everyone. I'm just another person wanting to improve his writing skills. The usual advice is to practice writing. But I don't want do that given the time it takes and not knowing what to write about. I find it much easier to read. After all, to learn how to write, isn't it necessary to read first? Do you think lots of reading eventually improves writing?
You have to do both. Sorry, but you can't improve your writing if lots of writing is not part of the plan.
It would be like listening to the radio to become a better musician. It will give you ideas and show you possibilities, but until you put it into practice, you're just a member of the audience.
Yes, reading lots makes you a better writer, most definitely. But if you aren't willing to write, why do you want to become a better writer?
I mostly learned the basics of how to write by reading. I definitely think it helps an incredible amount, especially once you learn to read critically. But look at it this way, if time constraints are your concern: I know I learned exponentially more about writing - really writing well - in three solid months of writing daily than I did in seven years of reading two books a day before I got serious about writing. If you're serious about writing, you practice writing. It's more bang for you buck anyway. Just get in there.
I have to disagree with the other posters. I think reading alone can and does make you a better writer. Before I started writing fiction, I just read. I read a lot. Then I started to think about writing. I think you have to have talent, drive and dedication, of course. But assuming you have those things, I think you will learn more reading a hundred good novels over writing a few shitty ones.
I'd like to thank everyone for their advice. I'd also like to clarify that I don't intend to write fiction. Everything else, but not fiction, though I don't think that has any relevance on how to improve one's writing, fiction or non-fiction, other than that it makes things easier. I've always thought reading is superior over writing, mainly because all that what makes up a good writing is inspired from other writings. How am I to know all the different ways of expressing an idea, if I haven't read enough? Besides, I find the whole task of writing unexciting, as there's no obligation to finish on time, no motive to improve what one has already written, as there's no fear of rejection by the publisher, etc. But then writing make you to think, to come up with that perfect word or phrase. It forces you to look up in dictionaries, thesauruses, etc -- again, time consuming. What about listening to books rather than reading them? I've seen sentences stick better in one's mind better when listening rather than reading a book. Anyway, it's a tough decision for me.
I don't understand the decision you're trying to make. If you want to write, eventually you're going to have to write. Right? So if you want to put that off for a while and do some reading, great. Carry on. But you're talking as if you've made a permanent decision to read rather than write. And that's a totally valid decision to make. But... then you're just reading. You're not learning to write, you're just reading. Which is fine, but different, and... yeah, I don't get it.
I too am confused. The only thing that makes sense is that right now you have very limited time, while in a year, or two, or five, you will have some time to write. And you're asking whether that limited time will be better used in writing or reading? Otherwise...yes, what is the relevance of asking what's better for becoming a writer, if you're never going to write?
That's because you've never tried to write. Would you say looking at a picture was superior to painting it? I learned to read by the time I was ... well, I don't remember to be honest, but let's just say before I hit double figures, and even though I'll occasionally come across a word I'm not sure how to pronounce, I reckon I'm pretty there in terms of learning to read. But writing... I'll still be learning that craft until the day I die.
As most of this thread are saying, reading won't get you through writing. It's the same as wanting to pass a Science O-Level, and only revising Biology. Reading is better if you want to get to grips with the language an author uses; with it being particularly good if you want to study an author's techniques during writing, and introduce them to your own. However, just reading won't get you anywhere. I completely agree there.
As izzybot touched on about learning to read critically, the process of trying to write changes the way you read. So as you develop your critical faculties through writing practice you'll start to notice different things in the books you read – things you didn't notice before when you were just reading as a casual reader. The lessons you learn from reading will become more relevant and helpful to your writing (at least I like to think so...)
If you don't find any enjoyment in writing, it's highly unlikely you'll be able to write successfully no matter how much you read. There are many parts of writing that are hard and quite a slog, but it's balanced out by the good parts - creating a great character or interesting universe, writing a particulary snappy bit of dialogue, etc. It's those times that get you through the tough parts, of which there are plenty to be sure. Why do you want to write if you don't enjoy writing? I'm not being snarky, just genuinely curious because I'd never creatively pursue something I find boring 100% of the time.
