On reading and its connection to writing.

Good readers make good writers / good writers are good readers
The above is a syllogism for the literary crowd. While there are bound to be exceptions this holds true enough of the time to equate with common sense. While there is the occasional writer who rarely reads as an adult I would venture to say they all would admit to tons of reading when younger. Reading captures the imagination like few other endeavors can. Whether fiction, poetry, educational, or biographical there is almost always a deeper level of interaction and intimacy when you read a book than when you watch a movie. A good story buries itself deep as you read it and becomes part of you. While there are some movies that can lay claim to our hearts and imaginations it seems that more often than not it is a book that does so. We will often watch movies in groups or at parties, but a cherished book is almost always a private affair.

Reading has the potential to expand not only your imagination but your education as well. I believe that the wider a person’s reading ranges the greater the potential for not only creativity, but also the ability to communicate. Whether by spoken or written words an avid reader will develop both a greater vocabulary and an intuitive understanding of its use. In this wise a good reader will develop an ear for good writing. Furthermore, they will more than likely be able to not only recognize it on a written page, but be able to put it there themselves.

What drives someone to write? I do not speak of that which must be written for a job or communiqué, but that which would be termed optional or perhaps even recreational. An author’s life can be a difficult one fraught with doubt and rejection. Long hours of labor are put on display for the judgment of others who may not think the endeavor is justified.
So why Write?…..that is a thought for another time as mine is at an end for now.

Reading as an addiction.

OK. So you read the title of this little piece and probably had one of three reactions. You either said to yourself “huh”, “nah”, or “yeup”. We are all taught as children that ‘reading is fundamental’ and to many it is also primal. Lets first take a look at those who said either “huh” or “nah”.

“Nah”
Those who read by necessity would answer this way. People who generally read only what and when they need to. I am not talking about those who cannot read but those who just don’t ‘get it’. High School and College can be torturous to this group with all the assigned reading and book lists. They may do well and graduate with high honors but that is not the point. This group simply prefers other methods of communication and expression to reading. It seems slow, tedious, and unproductive to many in this group.

“Huh”
Casual readers would answer this way. Those who can occasionally get into a good book and may enjoy the Sunday paper fit this group. Those who read out of boredom or to be in the know about some hot topic or author would also fit this category. Reading is an exercise for many of them, a way to keep their mind active or learn something they think important. Others consider reading an occasional ‘treat’ to be indulged in or see it as the lesser of two evils (such as commuters who read to avoid eye contact with other passengers).

“Yeup”
Genetic readers would answer this way, people for whom the written word holds a compulsion. This group considers it almost an obligation to read what others have taken the time and trouble to write down. Cereal boxes and the Surgeon General’s warning are equally compelling to this group. They often consider the written word to be the highest form of communication; after all it is one of the things that separate us from the animals. The conscious thought and intent, intelligence (hopefully) and intimacy of reading what another’s mind and heart have produced drive this group to read whatever they come across.

Now you may find pros or cons to membership in each of the groups above. That is not the point of this little meditation. Enticing you, the reader, into consideration is. Which group do you belong to? Why? Are you straddling two groups at once?

Remember: “Reading is Fundamental”, so shouldn’t you give it a bit of thought now and again? The ability to read is one of the cornerstones upon which our world is built. Knowledge is passed down, dreams are shared, and tales are told. A commonality is established that allows us to understand not just who we are now, but who we were then. The ability to look ahead is predicated upon knowledge of the past; otherwise how would we know which direction is ahead for us?

Announcement of the opening of The WordCraft Café website!

OK folks!

At long last I have ventured out on the Web with a site of my own!

I have been a Co-Admin on a few sites for a good number of years, but this one belongs to me (though I still…“get by with a little help from my friends”).

Consider this an open invitation to stop by and check it out. Any who find it to their liking are invited to join up!

The idea is simple…Writing…It’s about writing, writing well, and enjoying the process in a community minded atmosphere. I wanted something to urge me to keep writing, working to improve my skill at word craft. The site will host original Fiction / Non-Fiction / Poetry / and of course Fan-Fic!

So any Authors who want a fresh place to share their work, where some members will be Readers and some Authors and all will give feedback (hopefully), are invited to join up.

As a start-up site please remember it will take some time (and YOU) to gain momentum.

So check it out, say “Hi”, and watch it grow (again hopefully)….

WWW.WORDCRAFTCAFE.COM

See you there!!