Read A Lot. Write A Lot.
If there are two things that I enjoy above all others, that is reading and writing. Though not always the things that I should be reading or writing at a given point in time. As I sit and write this blog post, I could just as easily be working on my book project or thinking up a new idea for a freelance article to pitch to First and Pen, or reading a book to help me conceptualize another aspect either. Yet, at this moment, the thing that feels right is to write this post. Last week I wrote about my “writing schedule,” and how it varies from week to week, though I try to maintain some semblance of consistency. This week, I’ve decided to write about writing and being a writer. I have been writing for as long as I have been able to hold a pencil and string together words so that they made sense to me (I was never the greatest speller, to be honest). I began by reading everything that I could get my hands on, them by journaling, writing short, stories, then school essays, more journals, longer writing projects, a thesis, dissertation, op-eds, and now my very first book project. But it all started with a good book and a blank page.
This year, to keep up my reading habit and to make progress on writing my first book, I’ve committed to reading 52 new books—essentially one book per week. As of today, August 9th, 2021, I have read 40 books. A mix of fiction, memoir, and theory, the forty books I’ve read have been an eclectic assortment—as are the remaining twelve. With the semester starting in exactly two weeks, twelve books make sense for the remainder of the year. Reading a lot has helped me become a better writer by exposure to varying styles of writing, increasing my knowledge on known and unknown subjects, and of course by helping to extend my vocabulary. So, I suppose I am in agreement with Stephen King that to be a reader one must read and write a lot, as the only thing I do more than read is write. I write every day. I have two journals—a daily gratitude journal with prompts as well as a free journal. I do freelance work. I have this blog. My book. Independent and collaborative projects. Writing everyday helped to keep me going through some of the darkest days early on during our initial lockdown, because when I write, as when I read, I feel free.
Of course, we all have a different rhythm, and as always, I encourage everyone to find what works best for them. For me, I like to read two books at a time. Usually, one that is theory, or or non-fiction in conjunction with fiction or a memoir—something dense with something a bit lighter helps stretch my thought muscles. Though, some of the most creative works I’ve read this year have been theoretical—particularly Black feminist works. In my next post, I plan to do a deep dive into three of my favorite books of the year so far! It won’t be an easy task, since I’ve loved every book I’ve read so far, but I will find a way! Until next time.
