Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Reading and Writing Magic

I stare at the page. Nothing. No new words. Anxiety builds inside of me as I watch the clock. Time is short. My writing goal will be unmet on this particular morning. With a sigh, I consider my three choices: 
  1. continue to stare at the screen a few minutes more and increase my frustration,
  2. forget it and switch my thinking to work-related matters and live with my frustration, or
  3. open the Libby app on my phone and listen to my latest fiction read as I begin my other work for the day. 
I decide to turn on the Libby app and let the magic of another time and place wash away my frustrations and provide a boost of inspiration.

Reading or listening to books (especially fiction) rejuvenates my creative thinking and writing in ways that nothing else does.  I notice craft moves, unique author voices, and how the words make me feel. I get lost in the story, for sure, but as a writer, I find myself thinking about why I am getting lost in the story. It's a delightful way to reset my brain and think about my writing in new ways. 

The next morning I face the blank page once again. Only this time, I see it through different eyes. The frustration is gone and the words begin to flow. 

Reading is so much more than a functional skill. It's pure magic.

Until next time,

Tracy

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7 comments:

  1. Tracy VogelgesangJune 8, 2021 at 10:14 AM

    That is true! I have experienced that myself.

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  2. https://wordpress.com/home/mukhamani.wordpress.comJune 8, 2021 at 10:23 AM

    Reading and listening to audio books are magic. Since I started blogging I am enjoying writing too. Regards

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    1. Tracy VogelgesangJune 9, 2021 at 7:09 AM

      Writing is its own kind of magic. It can be hard work and frustrating at times, but it has its own rewards. I love it.

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  3. Denise KrebsJune 9, 2021 at 4:32 AM

    Wow, Tracy, I love this beautiful take on the reading/writing connection. To tell you the truth, I need to pay closer attention to the craft of the writing that I read. This past year has been really fun writing poetry, but I haven't tried as hard with prose, so I would like to be more intentional about improving it.

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    1. Tracy VogelgesangJune 9, 2021 at 7:13 AM

      I find the more prose I read, the more I learn about writing prose. It gives me a great excuse to spend even more time curled up with a great book or audiobook! :)

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  4. Donnetta NorrisJune 9, 2021 at 11:21 AM

    One commenter stated they "Love reading like a writer". Another stated they "need to pay closer attention to the craft of the writing that [they] read". I am curious as to whether this skill is taught/learned in a formal manner? Or Is it something teachers/readers/writers develop over time. Even as I write this comment, I am thinking about how we as teachers try to help our Scholars with these skills - "pay attention to how the author shows the character's emotions", for example. But, I am also realizing that I never use these skills when I read for myself.

    Tracy, thank you for opening up my mind to wonder and to explore something new for myself as a reader/writer (noticing craft). Your posts are so delightful to read.

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    1. Tracy VogelgesangJune 9, 2021 at 5:45 PM

      Thank you, Donnetta. In response to your wondering above, I think that learning to read as a writer is something that developed for me over time as I grew into a teacher-writer. Now I try to help my students develop that skill through the use of mentor texts during writing and grammar instruction. It is a process. I've noticed that the longer I write, the more I tend to read as a writer.

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