Read Like A Writer

There are two ways to learn how to write fiction: by reading it and by writing it. Yes, you can learn lots about writing stories in workshops, in writing classes and writing groups, at writers' conferences. You can learn technique and process by reading the dozens of books like this one on fiction writing and by reading articles in writers' magazines. But the best teachers of fiction are the great works of fiction themselves. You can learn more about the structure of a short story by reading Anton Chekhov's 'Heartache' than you can in a semester of Creative Writing 101. If you read like a writer, that is, which means you have to read everything twice, at least. When you read a story or novel the first time, just let it happen. Enjoy the journey. When you've finished, you know where the story took you, and now you can go back and reread, and this time notice how the writer reached that destination. Notice the choices he made at each chapter, each sentence, each word. (Every word is a choice.) You see now how the transitions work, how a character gets across a room. All this time you're learning. You loved the central character in the story, and now you can see how the writer presented the character and rendered her worthy of your love and attention. The first reading is creative—you collaborate with the writer in making the story. The second reading is critical.


John Dufresne, from his book, The Lie That Tells A Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction

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A Little Love from My Readers ☕️❤️


Dear Readers,

I hope this note finds you well! As you, writing can be a passionate yet demanding journey, and I truly cherish every moment spent creating content for you. Your support means the world to me!

If you’ve enjoyed my work, and would like to help fuel my creative process, I’d be incredibly grateful if you could buy me a virtual cup of coffee. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference in keeping the inspiration flowing and those words coming.

You can contribute through PayPal, ID: Pathways To Eden, and ever cup counts! Thank you for being such an amazing community. I appreciate you more than words can express!

Buy me a coffee! (your opportunity to say thanks for the free stuff and to encourage me to do even more)

Contribute to my coffee fund with any amount you are comfortable to pay.

The coffee will give me the ‘kick’ to work even harder to empower creative entrepreneurs.

Thank you!

Olivia Salter


If you like my work or the free stuff on this blog and want to say thanks, or encourage me to do more, you can buy me a coffee!

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