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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Reading Like a Writer summary
Francine Prose
A Guide for People Who Love Books and for Those Who Want to Write Them
18 mins
Brief summary
Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose is a guide for aspiring writers to slow down and appreciate literature's craft. Prose invites readers to connect with great authors and examine how their work can improve their own writing.
Table of Contents
Reading Like a Writer
Summary of 7 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 7
Rediscover the art of close reading to get inside a great writer’s head.
Have you ever watched a child read? Many mouth every word they read to themselves silently. They’re incredibly thorough, and make much better close readers than we adults. Why?
Well, as we grow older, we also grow impatient. We’re able to read faster and tend to read more superficially. This leads to skim-reading, when we’re always on the hunt for quick info, a surprise or a laugh. We devour words like junk food!
Skim-reading certainly has its merits in certain situations where efficiency is the goal. But when it comes to reading literature, skimming is simply counterproductive. It causes us to miss the most important things, like a word that evokes powerful associations, or a subtext that shimmers between the lines.
Great literature, after all, has many layers of meaning. No matter how deep you dig, you’ll always discover more. By slowing down your reading, you’ll make your experience of the text far more rewarding. Paying closer attention to words will also bring you closer to the great masters who wrote them, allowing you to learn from them and improve your own writing in turn.
So how exactly do you relearn the habit of taking it slowly when reading? It can prove rather difficult without the right incentive. But, sometimes, all it takes is one clue to keep your eyes glued to the page.
The author recalls how her English teacher suggested she pay close attention to motifs of seeing and blindness while reading Sophocles’ Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex and Shakespeare’s King Lear. Soon enough, she discovered that both texts were filled with curious patterns, parallels and connections, as if the two authors had hidden them there for her to uncover. Whole new dimensions of meaning emerged in the texts, changing her reading experience entirely.
By taking a closer look at certain patterns of literary texts, you’ll learn to slow your reading down and discover what every sentence really has to offer. But how do you know which pattern to follow? We’ll have a look in the next blink.
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What is Reading Like a Writer about?
Reading Like a Writer (2006) shows us how to read literary masterpieces with open eyes. These blinks explain the patterns of writing that make fiction memorable, powerful and authentic, helping us slow down our reading and find more enjoyable experiences in every book.
Reading Like a Writer Review
Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose (2006) offers a unique perspective on the art of reading and its impact on writing. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It provides insightful analysis of various literary works, helping readers understand the techniques and craftsmanship behind great writing.
- The book demonstrates the importance of close reading and paying attention to detail, enabling readers to develop a deeper appreciation for literature.
- With its engaging examples and practical exercises, it encourages readers to become more attentive readers, while also sparking their creativity as writers.
Best quote from Reading Like a Writer
In the particular is contained the universal. - Samuel Beckett
—Francine Prose
Who should read Reading Like a Writer?
- Avid readers who want to get more out of their fiction-reading experience
- Writers and those dreaming of becoming one
- Anyone who promised themselves they’d read the classics, but hasn’t managed to yet
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Reading Like a Writer FAQs
What is the main message of Reading Like a Writer?
The main message of Reading Like a Writer is to develop writing skills through reading and close analysis of literature.
How long does it take to read Reading Like a Writer?
Reading Like a Writer can take several hours to read, depending on your reading speed. However, you can read the Blinkist summary in just 15 minutes.
Is Reading Like a Writer a good book? Is it worth reading?
Reading Like a Writer is worth reading for aspiring writers. It offers valuable insights and techniques to improve your craft.
Who is the author of Reading Like a Writer?
The author of Reading Like a Writer is Francine Prose.
What to read after Reading Like a Writer?
If you're wondering what to read next after Reading Like a Writer, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
- Write Your Book in a Flash by Dan Janal
- Wired for Story by Lisa Cron
- On Writing Well by William Zinsser
- Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t by Steven Pressfield
- The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr
- The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle
- The Art of Rhetoric by Aristotle
- Be Seen by Jen Gottlieb
- The Body by Bill Bryson