Sometimes as
writers we forget and take for granted the marvel of reading.
And it is pretty
much a marvel you know.
We all read,
well most of us read, well, a large number of us read and it's kind of funny
how we don't think about it, but just do it. A part of every day. and thank heavens writers aren't the only ones who read!
Here's a
definition of what reading really is:
..."a
complex cognitive process of decoding symbols in order to construct or derive
meaning...a means of language acquisition of communication and of sharing
information and ideas. Reading boils down to a complex interaction between the
text and the reader, said text shaped by the reader's prior experience,
knowledge, attitude and community. The
reading process requires continuous practice, development and refinement."
Or the more dry
dictionary definition:
"the act or
practice of one who reads...the study of books; academic material."
The second
doesn't tell you nearly what the first does, but you get it. The first
definition makes it much more clear just how complicated and fascinating the
act of reading is.
There are types
of reading other than the written word such as symbols, pictograms and music,
but let’s stick with what we scribblers know best - reading a book.
Plainly the
first requirement of reading is that there's sharp contrast between the letters
and the background they're printed on (don't you just love red on black?) and
aside from that, readers, don’t you just love it when the text doesn’t fit your
computer screen and you’re forced to scroll from side to side, back and for,
repeatedly? (er, I think I can see that you don’t). So fiction writers, copy writers, all writers keep in mind the readability factor in the visual.
The other thing
about reading is it is usually an individual activity. One person; book or
magazine or whatever in hand, reading. Oh, occasionally someone will do a ‘reading’
and read aloud to a group. And, readers, did you know many writers use reading
out loud as a tool when crafting what they write? Reading out loud fosters better comprehension, meaning it
allows the writer to catch many of his or her errors and to correct them.
Handy, huh?
Did you know
also that reading really is a pretty intensive process because the eye moves
back and forth assimilating text? Very little of a sentence is actually ‘seen’
accurately, thus the puzzles where you can figure out a whole sentence with
lots of words or letters missing. That involves eye movement and visual
perception which you can Google if you lile, but it’s a whole ‘nother subject.
So, back to
reading. Yep, it’s a very active exercise for your mind as pooped to say
watching TV or just listening to music. When you read your brain cells engage
in activity as the words you read are automatically translated into vivid
images painted on your consciousness from the story the reader is absorbing.
Fascinating, don’t you think? But there’s more. Your brain is actually a muscle
which really does need to be exercised regularly like any other muscle in your
body. If you don’t, you risk dulling yourself down. You must keep your mental
faculties constantly engaged to keep your brain from getting bored and that
will keep you smarter. Yes, smarter I say. But don’t believe me, research that
yourself.
Those of you who
are regular readers, think about it. When you read you’re bound to explore the
works of a variety of authors and thereby be exposed to different literary
styles, learn new words, phrases, idioms, and because of that learn to use
those things in new ways yourself.
So, be of good cheer, readers and
obsessive readers because readers are generally more knowledgeable folks and
more knowledgeable are generally more creative and more creativity leads to
innovation and the ability to think more ‘out of the box. So keep reading and
you’ll find you’re definitely more creative in whatever are of life you aim to
excel.
