Using Your Favorite Books As Writing Tools

There was a time when I thought I had to read all the best books on the craft in order to become a better writer. Time and time again I would read books that contradicted each other. For a newbie writer, conflicting information can be quite frustrating. And again I’d read books that says not to do X and yet more than one of my favorite authors (who “made it”) did X. What’s a writer to do?

I’m not saying that all craft books are bad and evil. I have my favorites. But I have found that one of the best things young writers can do is study the books that work. Study the books that don’t. Dog ear. Mark up. Highlight. Figure it out.

One of my favorite things to do now is read with pencil in hand. If I’m having a terrible time with backstory, search for the backstory in other books—see how they do it. If I’m having issues with seamlessly giving history of a new world, study the books that have it. Having issues with romantic tension (I do. It’s sad). Read your favorite teen novels (because, let’s face it, the teen books are some of the best on the gushy romance. . .) Your favorite books are published so they did something right. (Passage above from Lisa Bergren’s Remnants: Season of Wonder)

Dissect your favorites. Above is a passage from Hunger Games dissected into inner conflict, back story, outer conflict, and so on. Figure out what makes it work. Why is it such a hit? (I’ve had more than one student give me a mouth open stare when they see what I do to my books. Now you know why I’m never sad to have more than one copy).

On of my favorite craft books suggested if you’re having issues with plot, take your favorite books and write out the plot on notecards—chapter by chapter (this is also a great exercise if you’re having trouble with summary!)

There are so many different things you can do to become a better writer just by using your favorite texts! What are some of your favorite exercises?

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