If you are a writer, there’s a pretty good chance that you love to read. When you start writing, you may be tempted to put your reading on hold. But reading time is not something you should sacrifice. The most effective writers are avid readers. Reading is one of the best ways to inspire your creativity and strengthen your writing skills.
You can also create writing projects around your reading. Choose a book of the month to read. Then think of a few creative ways you can practice your writing in response to that book:
1. Write a book review and post it on Amazon and Goodreads. Or find a magazine that publishes book reviews and consider submitting one, based on their specific requirements.
2. Discuss your favorite line from the book on your blog.
3. Join a book discussion group online and share your thoughts in writing and in conversation with others online. (If you have your own writer’s website, some discussion groups will let you link to your website in your profile.)
4. Is this book in your church library? Write a set of small-group discussion questions and see if your pastor is interested in making those questions available with the book. (This might lead to a request for more!) You might even want to send your discussion questions to the author. I created a series of worksheets for teens, based on Randy Alcorn’s book, Heaven for Kids, and his ministry published these worksheets on their website.
What other ways can you practice your writing by responding creatively to a great book?
Adventures with God 