Professionally, I get to edit what other people have written, write for them, and also write for myself. You might think with that much time spent around the written word, I would spend my off-hours binging Netflix shows. And I do! But it can’t replace my love for reading or reading’s place in my profession. 

As an editor/copywriter, here are the top three reasons I keep on reading:

1. Words in equals words out. When my kids were young, I introduced them to classic literature.I wanted them to recognize when a story was well-developed, when the characters were fully realized, and to hear the song of language through correct grammar and varied sentence structures. As someone who works with words, this principle of surrounding yourself with good words still holds true. The quality of the words I take in will equal the kind of words I can give out. So I want to make sure what I read has value.
2. Learn new things. No matter what I read, I want to walk away having learned something, about the world, myself, or even about using language. If I’m curious about a topic (or need schooled on a topic for a client) I’m going to dive deep into reading about it. And through the research into a topic, I also learn how that topic is discussed: its audience and industry vocabulary. Even reading fiction, I can learn a different person’s experiences or even a different way to communicate a story. And I love it when I need to look up new words!
3. Escapism. I work from my dining room table. That is not a complaint, I consider myself pretty lucky to have a great dining room table and a job that lets me enjoy it. But sometimes I need an escape! I can get away from my house, my circumstances, even my mood, by picking up a book and letting myself be transported into someone else’s life for a few minutes. Reading is NOT the same as being there and it will never replace my love of travel. But it’s an alternative to the monotony of WFH. And using a book to escape can help me return to work with a fresh perspective. 

I have a relationship with every book I read. Some are turned into longtime friends, and others pass through. But each book I read is a chance to meet a new author, character, historic figure, or topic and even see myself within the pages. 

What are you reading right now?