12 Non-Writing Fields Writers Should Study

Studying is an eternal state of being for writers. It’s our lifeblood–how we hone our craft and add depth to our work. As Gary Paulson says, “If you want to be a good writer, you’ve got to read like a wolf eats.” I believe that applies to studying too.

Luckily, there are many sources for reading and novels of all genres and types. Read the hard ones and the fun ones. Heck, even read the bad ones to learn what not to do. Then read nonfiction to inform your writing. There are tons of books on the craft of writing, and they are important. Growing as a writer means professional development, like any other field. Read those writing books, but don’t stop there. Study broadly.

Here are my top 12 to consider adding to your studies:

Poetry–There is no better way to learn how to use language than to study poetry. Poets use words the way a painter uses paint. They see the world with an artist’s perspective. I highly recommend the poets of the Poetic Revolution (1912-1922): Ezra Pound, Walt Whitman, George Sand, Wallace Stevens, William Carlos Williams, T.S. Eliot, Carl Sandburg, and others of that era. This era is when meter fell into free verse. Although most poets are worth reading, especially: Pablo Neruda, Octavio Paz, Yeats, Keats, Wordsworth, Shelley, Byron, e.e. cummings, Billy Collins, Shakespeare…the list is endless.

Psycholinguistics–While closely related to writing, psycholinguistics is the study of the relationship between psychology and linguistics (the study of language, including syntax, comprehension and semantics). It studies how language is processed and acquired. Related fields: Neurolinguistics (the study of how the brain processes language). Linguistics and syntax are essential study for writers.

Psychology–The study of humans, and why and how we act, is a critical field for any writer. We need to understand human nature to write it effectively and authentically. This means pulling out Freud, Jung, Maslow, Skinner, Fromme, Piaget and other key figures. Some of them may make you want to scream, but they are worth reading. Delve into the various fields of psychology to create deeper characters. Abnormal psychology is fun too. 

History–All of history is story. It is our version of the oral tradition handed down through the tribe. It tells what has gone before and sets up precedents for what may come. History is the next best story-based field outside of literature, in my opinion. It influences every story written, even it is based in fictional history.

Acting—Reading acting books is a great way to learn how to express character. They analyze motivation and teach actors how to bring characters to life. This is an invaluable skill for any writer. I highly recommend the works of Stanislavsky, Meisner and Adler.

Drama–Beyond acting, I recommend reading plays. They are a great way to study dialogue. The playwright must convey story through movement and dialogue alone. It is like a master class in the subject. Turn to great playwrights: Chekhov, Shakespeare, Tennessee Williams, Eugene O’Neill, Samuel Beckett, Arthur Miller, Christopher Marlowe, Shaw, Mamet, Brecht, Albee, Wilde, Sam Shepherd, Langston Hughes, Neil Simon and anyone else you can find.

Mythology–The classic stories of gods and goddesses have everything you need to write better stories. They are the foundation of most stories. I recommend studying the main pantheons: Greek, Roman, Nordic, Celtic as well as the lesser known myths. This will give you access to creatures and worlds.

Fairy Tales–This follows the study of mythology. The folk tales of different regions will fill in any holes left in your classic education. Go beyond the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen. Turn to the folk tales of different cultures and peoples. This will give your writing breadth.

Anthropology–The study of humankind and its culture and society is invaluable to creating worlds that work in fiction. Besides it is a fascinating subject that offers insight into so many aspects of being human. Read widely in this area.

Philosophy–How can you not study the nature of knowledge, reality and existence? It informs everything. Again, read broadly and keep an open mind. Start with Aristotle, Socrates and Plato and then move through the years of changing thought, from Rousseau to Kant.

Physics—As the study of nature, energy and how the universe behaves, physics affects everything. It is the basis for universal laws of how our world works. It will give your writing realism, even if you are creating your own world with its own laws.

Music–This is not as obvious a field to study for writers, but trust me, it helps more than you will know. Understanding music composition will help you write sentences that flow and create stories that have high points (crescendos) and variation (modulations). Learning about cadence and rhythm will help you with pacing. I learned as much about writing in my music classes in college as in my writing ones.

Any Area that Pulls You–The key to writing is to have something to say. This means following your curiosity where it takes you. There is no field out there that is unworthy of study. It could be law, ethics, science, geography, cartography or math. It doesn’t matter what subject speaks to you. What matters is that you keep learning and use that as fodder for your writing.