I'm a bad author. I don't read books on the craft of writing. I don't.
Bad author.
Wrong.
I hope. The thing is, I don't learn that way. I'm too visual of a learner. Books on craft, ambiguous beta notes, etcetera. They're all just words on a page.
I'd hazard a guess, I'm not able to consciously learn from reading other authors' books either. A) I get too caught up in the story, if I manage to finish the book and B) Once again, they're words on a page.
Where do I learn from? Analyzing movies and television. Sure the concepts may be a bit harder to put into practice in my writing, but they're easier. Movies and television allow me to go back and analyze, to rehash and to think about it. Because I'm more visual, I'm better able with movies and television to look back over it in my head and conflate physical action with words and emotion.
I hope.
But, yes, I'm a bad author because I don't have shelves full of books on the craft of writing and I don't go on and on in raves about the latest and greatest "how to write" books.
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I don't think this makes you a bad author at all. There are only so many books you can read about the craft of writing before you reach overfill. Plus, the more you are reading about writing, the less time you have to actually write.
ReplyDeleteI have a few books on writing and they helped when I was just starting out, I guess. But then I realized there is no magical formula to writing other than: just write!
Besides, I believe the best way to learn how to write is to read! Novels!
You are NOT a bad author. You do what works for YOU. I don't read many writing books, honestly. I own one and that's it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Michelle. You aren't a bad writer. We all have different methods of writing and getting inspiration. Yours is one method that helps you. So by golly, run with it!
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