Good Stories
Entry posted by TNTOS
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As a writer, I believe it is very important to read as much as you can. And not just in your preferred genre, either. Try to read in a variety of different genres, if possible, because good writing is good writing no matter what it is garbed in.
As a matter of fact, read nonfiction books, too. Histories, philosophical/theological books, scientific books, personal memoirs, 'how to' books, etc, etc. Nonfiction not only works as research, but also aids writers in expanding their horizon and deepening their understanding of humanity. I truly believe that a writer can only ever truly become a great writer by understanding humanity to the best extent that he or she can, even if that requires discarding cherished beliefs in favor of those that make more sense in light of what the writer now knows.
It's true that you won't be able to read every book out there, but you don't need to. You only need to read as many books as you can get. And this isn't a one-time deal, either, but something you do over a lifetime (if you're serious about writing, that is).
It's also true that some books out there really, really, really suck. I mean, REALLY suck. They're so awful that it's all you can do to turn the page in the faint hope that maybe it will get better, only to be disappointed to discover the same drivel that was on the previous page. In that case, I suggest either putting the book down or figuring out just what is so bad about it so you can avoid duplicating such awfulness in your own writing in the future.
On the flipside, you're bound to find some absolute gems, whether in fiction or nonfiction. You know what I'm talking about. The kind of books that you don't want to -- no, can't -- put down because they are so exciting, so interesting, perhaps even thought-provoking. They are the ones that inspire you, that challenge you to dare meet their standard of excellence. And so you place them on a tall mountain and attempt to reach them with all your might, even though you are aware you might never reach their stand of excellence no matter how hard you try, which actually gives you the impetus to try harder, rather than give up in frustration and anger at your own limitations.
Comic books, movies, TV shows, short stories, plays, and other forms of storytelling media can be every bit as excellent as a good book. I say this partly to be fair and partly so that you will be encouraged to look for good storytelling in all media, regardless of how it is presented. Good stories are good whether presented on stage, in a bound book, or on a computer screen. And if you're a serious writer, you should strive with every good story to find out why it is so good and then apply that to your own writing as best as you can.
Why am I writing all of this? I can't say. It's just a thought that popped into my mind recently. As I haven't wrote a substantial blog entry in a while, I thought it would be worth typing up and posting. Hope it's coherent, at least 
.
-TNTOS-
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