Best Tip from an Award-Winning Author
This is what I wished I had known when I was first beginning to write for children. I had ideas, but I wasn’t a strong reader back then. It took a few years before I found my local writing community, RACWI, the Rochester Area Children’s Writers and Illustrators group.
At the time, another RACWI member, Linda Sue Park had a couple of published books, but had not yet won the Newbery for A Single Shard. She was an English professor and shared her wisdom.
I remember hearing this quote and thinking How could I read that many books before I start writing? But it’s true – reading helps inform your writing.
Aspire to read as many books as you can in the genre you’re trying to write in.
Reading and writing is connected. Reading is practice for your writing brain. While you read in your genre, your brain will learn word choice and how to structure sentences to develop your voice, and help your thoughts flow together.
Wishing you all the best as you “anchor into” your writing genre.
Happy Writing!
Andrea
