What is Conscious Reading?

Conscious reading as I call it is where we read consciously. You know how when we read we often can't remember what we just read, or we skim over the words or we read with other people around while we're eating or with fiction we get really lost in the book. That's all fine, in fact it's great but conscious reading is different. Conscious Reading is part of our practice to become better at writing.

When you read articles about writing you'll often see mention that writers need to read. You need to read in the genre you're writing in, you need to read in genres you're not writing in, whatever - you need to read.

I do agree because when you think about it, reading is the flip side of writing. We read what other people have written so we take it in both consciously and unconsciously. We take in how they've done it, whether we like it, whether the writing is boring or confusing or fascinating or moving, we either engage or disengage with the writer's voice.

Conscious reading is where we read without distraction. Here's how to do it:

Set up - Set yourself up for conscious reading by making sure you're in the right place, you're physically comfortable. Focus - Take a few long slow breaths or do a very short meditation to calm your mind and remove yourself mentally from your surroundings. Ponder – As you start reading the book, really think about what you're reading (ponder on what the writer's saying and what it means to you - do you agree or disagree? how does what they write make you feel) Notes & tabs - Take notes or make notes in the margin and tab certain pages that resonate with you. Journal - Journal during or after reading a chapter to deepen your thoughts and reactions and see what creative ideas come to you that you could add to the concept or story you're reading about. Reading as a Writer - Reading as a writer is noticing HOW the writer has written the work - what style they've used? What structure they've used? What's the level of complexity? where have they used stories? images? how have they got their message across? Conscious reading helps you become a better more adept writer.

Who's your host? Emma Franklin Bell is an author, artist and entrepreneur living in sunny Sydney, Australia. Emma is the founder of Beautiful Business Enterprises (BBE) which comprises of: The Beautiful Business Academy - Which presents The Manuscript Mastery Program for writers and bloggers, The Preschool Dance Success Program for dance teachers and dance studio directors and The Beautiful Business Program for business and life coaches.

The Creativity Conversation - A podcast show in iTunes inviting us to explore our creativity and expand our businesses

Beautiful Books - An independent publisher that publishes Emma's books and a small number of other authors' books and distributes them worldwide online.

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