To read or not to read

I truly believe the best way to become a great writer is to be a voracious reader. My earliest memories almost all involve a book, or two, or five. I remember reading the entire Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder in third and fourth grade and desperately wanting to be just like Laura. Even when they were starving to death during that ‘long winter’, I wanted to sit out in the back shed and twist hay with Pa until my fingers bled. Mary and I would have really gotten along well, and I would have helped poor-dumb-sick Carrie memorize her poem about the ‘Sculptor Boy’. Yes I memorized the poem, it is called  "Life Sculptor" by George Washington Doane. By the start of fifth grade I ran my own library out of my bedroom which, tragically, never had any patrons.  If only that were still true, now lots of people “borrow” books from me. You know who you are, and please give me back those books you “borrowed” years ago and never returned. Yeah that’s right, I’m talking to you and I don’t care what your dumbass excuse is, I want my books!

Ok wait, what are we talking about, oh right; if you read a few a few lines every day you will automatically increase your ability to write. All of the best writers are great readers. If you doubt me on this I have a challenge for you. Take a trip to any local bookstore and attend their next author event. During the question and answer portion of the event ask the author what she or he likes to read. I guarantee that he or she will have a plethora of answers for you. If you still don’t believe me ask any one of your English Professors (those curious souls tasked with teaching us how to write) what they are reading. If you have managed to find a space to sit in their office that isn’t cluttered with books, you’ll get a great (or slightly [terribly, horribly, aggressively] pompous, depending on the Professor) answer.  So get out there, or online, or onto your ridiculously-expensive-and-probably-already-obsolete e-reader, find a book, and start reading!