When you first become a writer the first piece of advice you hear is, “Read!” After you’ve been at it for a few years, maybe have a few pieces published, maybe not, the most common piece of advice is still “Read!” Read inside your genre. Read outside your genre. Read style guides and how-to books. Read the classics. Read pop-literature. Read a milk carton if you have to. Just read.
It’s definitely sound advice. Writing is the sort of thing you can really learn by seeing it in action, but what can writers learn from other mediums in action? What about listening? What about watching? What about simply experiencing?
During the month of September Ashley, Bob, and I are going to take a look at some of our favorite works in other artistic mediums, break down how they’ve influenced us as writers, and explore what writers can learn from other kinds of creative works. The first week, we’re going to look at film; the second will be about music; the third will be about TV; and the fourth will be open ended: we can discuss anything that inspires us other that the written word.
Articles will start on Monday, September 12th, and will be posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday throughout the month of September and into October. If people really like having an article series, we might discuss doing something similar in the future, so make sure to comment and let us know what you think! One lucky reader who comments will receive a gift card! In addition, tell us you like it on Twitter using #inspirationinvestigation. At the end of the series, we’ll be giving away gift cards to lucky readers.
See you September 12th!
Tay