Learning From the Masters

Writing is hard work. Few of us are born to it, gifted with a silver pen. Learning the craft takes time patience and perseverance. This is true no matter your writing skill level. If you have consistent feedback from folks telling you that your writing is superb, then good on you. Still, it’s no excuse to not try and improve your understanding and competence.

As a writer, you need to spend a lot of time reading and digesting the work of others. True devotees to the craft do not find this to be work. On the contrary, they love to delve into the work of skilled masters. They are in awe of the subtle nuances that make the prose sing. They wonder at the character development that has been honed to make the protagonist leap off the page. They can clearly see the settings laid out through the narrative.

Writers who take the time to read the works of gifted scribes are going to fare better in their writing careers. It doesn’t matter if it’s poetry, keyword articles on mortgage rates or a short story anthology. Reading the masters means learning from them.

Fortunately, there is no shortage of material. Are you a fiction writer who is working on your first novel? Take a trip to the library and check out a classic in the genre that fits. If your novel is a mystery, reading a few classics by Agatha Christie should do the trick. It will kindle an even brighter flame within you. As well, don’t be afraid to read outside the genre. An afternoon of Hemingway could be just what the doctor ordered. If you own a Kindle, you can download most classics for free.

If you are writing non fiction blog articles, spend a day surfing online at some of the big boy (and girl) blogging sites. Pay attention to their tone, their skill at titling and anything else that may inspire you. These professionals are modern day masters at what they do and you should be keen to absorb their style and gift.

In the area of non-fiction you may have to dig a little deeper to find the masters that apply. With that said, the reading of any of the works from true literary genuises will help you to write your non-fiction book that will shine and rise above the others in the playing field.

Learning from the masters is not something to be taken lightly. It requires a savvy dedication to being the very best writer you can be. That should be your goal. If you view learning from the masters as a task, then perhaps you need to do a bit of self reflection as well.