How to improve writing skills by reading more?

[WillTurner]

Hey guys! I had an interesting thought the other day, and I wanted to see if anyone else has experienced this. I've always heard the advice that if you want to be a better writer, you need to be a better reader. So I've been wondering, is that really the secret to how to improve writing skills? I decided to test it out this semester. Instead of scrolling through social media before bed, I've been reading a chapter of a well-written novel—right now it's "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern.

And you know what? I'm noticing a difference. The rhythm of the sentences, the way she describes things, the vocabulary... it's kind of seeping into my brain. When I sit down to write discussion posts for my lit class, the words just come more easily, and my sentences are more varied. It's like my brain is building a database of good writing examples. Has anyone else found that reading widely is the key?

What books have helped you level up your writing? I'd love some recommendations!

 

[RitaMokk]

Reading widely builds what linguists call "implicit knowledge" – you start internalizing patterns without even trying.

Here's how to make it even more effective:

Read like a writer. Don't just read for plot. Notice HOW the author does things. How do they start chapters? How do they write dialogue? How do they describe settings?

Mix it up. Read different genres, different time periods, different styles. Each teaches you something new. Hemingway taught me brevity. Morrison taught me lyricism. Didion taught me precision.

Steal techniques. Not words – techniques. If you love how an author handles flashbacks, try it in your own writing. Imitation is how we learn.

Your "database" metaphor is perfect. Every book adds to your mental library of possibilities. Keep reading!