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 writing books, take classes, attend workshops, 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. Taking classes is even better. Drama classes and books analyze motivation and teach actors how to bring characters to life. This is an invaluable skill for any writer. I 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. Film screenplays are good sources too, although I prefer to watch the films and analyze what works and what doesn’t. My favorite film for dialogue (and acting, for that matter) is Philadelphia Story with Katherine Hepburn, Jimmy Stewart and Cary Grant. It is a master class in writing.
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, African, as well as the lesser known myths. These will give you access to a wide range of creatures and worlds to include in your work or use as inspiration for your own creations.
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 folk tales of different cultures and peoples to 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. Sociology too.
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 may not be an 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 my writing courses.
Any Area that Intrigues 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 what you learn as fodder for your writing.
In today’s world, there is no excuse for not learning. We have unprecedented access to museum collections, video tutorials, ebooks, manuscripts, classes, and more. If you are interested in learning, you have countless avenues to pursue your curiosity. This is great news for writers. Now go learn something! What are your favorite sources for learning?