How to use reading for pleasure as a tool for study: four books to help you on your writing journey
Have you ever wanted to write? A book, or perhaps a workplace document that wows your boss? Maybe you’ve wanted to write family histories or stand-out promotional material? I love to write, it’s undeniable. The only thing more certain is that I like to read. Like many people before me, it was my passion for reading that helped me choose my writing and publishing major. I’m aware that for others writing isn’t as fun, so I’ve compiled a list of four books about writing that can help anyone improve. Even if you find reading and writing challenging or monotonous, I’m sure that there’s a book on this list for you, regardless of your area of study or field of practice.
- The 12 Week Year for Writers by A. Trevor Thrall
The first book on this list is The 12 Week Year for Writers by A. Trevor Thrall. This book is designed to help writers complete major projects like a book or thesis. Don’t let the word ‘writer’ in the title scare you, this book is for everyone, not just for the likes of J. K. Rowling and Stephen King. This book takes the principles from The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington and applies it to getting writing done… Getting writing done, that sounds pretty good to me!
In his book, Thrall points out that the most productive time of year is the last quarter. Why? Because deadlines are approaching, and tasks become urgent. The 12 week year system provides a way to create a healthy sense of urgency for the rest of the year. This system helps people determine their long-term goals, create healthy timeframes, design a model week, and prioritise weekly reflection time. It also encourages peer support and accountability which significantly improve the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Thrall lays out the steps in the 12 Week Year, but before he does so, he helps his readers think about what they want to achieve. He follows a model similar to the SMART goal-setting method which says that in order to achieve a goal it must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. After helping his readers determine their goals, Thrall helps his readers make their goals specific by providing a way for them to see each step within a manageable timeframe. You guessed it, these timeframes are 12 weeks long. This is how Thrall helps his readers make their writing goals measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound. Moreover, this advice can be used in any discipline, whether or not writing is involved. Setting SMART goals with 12-week-long timeframes, having a model week, peer support and accountability, and time to intentionally reflect on the week’s achievements, all help to make the 12 Week method successful in many areas.
- How Writing Works: A Field Guide to Effective Writing by Roslyn Petelin
The next book on my list is How Writing Works by Roslyn Petelin. Those of you who’ve studied WRIT306: Writing for Work might know about this book. The second chapter, ‘How Reading Works’ was a required text in 2023. However, in my opinion, this book should not be overlooked; instead, it should be read in its entirety. This is because it covers topics that are relevant to everyone who writes anything, regardless of their degree or job.
The first chapter, entitled ‘How Writing Works,’ paves the way for subsequent points of discussion, including how to write common workplace documents; how to write for a company’s social media or website; and how to revise, edit and proofread. Petelin also provides examples of common errors and how to solve them. Amusingly, when discussing malapropisms, which is when similar-sounding words are mistaken for each other, Petelin acknowledges that Jane Turner and Gina Riley repeatedly make these kinds of jokes in their sitcom, Kath & Kim. Thanks Petelin, I couldn’t stop thinking of it! This book would be useful to anyone who writes as a part of their job, whether or not they are a writer by trade. So, if you write, read this book.
- The Writer’s Hustle by Joey Franklin
The next book on this list is The Writer’s Hustle by Joey Franklin. I found this short book at my local library and since I was on a roll reading lots of books about writing, I was happy to find another. This book is non-fiction, but it is possibly the most useful book on this list about writing fiction. Furthermore, this book is yet another chance to learn at your own pace from a writing expert. In this book, Franklin discusses writers’ groups; reading beyond boundaries of genre and culture; attending writers’ events like retreats and conferences; considering postgraduate study; preparing for a career with a creative writing degree; and maintaining writing habits regardless of your qualification or profession. These can be useful because staying in community with peers, having knowledge of the market, proactively seeking professional development, planning a career, and continually upskilling are all important considerations for many professionals. In summary, this book can help you expand your reading list, decide where to go for professional development, and inspire you to keep writing. Even if you don’t want to be a writer, this book has lessons about working in any creative industry or partaking in any creative practice, which is why this book is on this list.
- Copywrong to Copywriter by Tait Ischia
Finally, we have Copywrong to Copywriter by Tait Ischia. This book is a pocketbook guide to copywriting. Copywriting is not to be confused with copyright. Copyright refers to the legal rights of intellectual property owners, whereas ‘copy’ is any written material that is used to promote a product or service. It may seem scary at first, but most of us read copy every day, it’s what is written on billboards and in social media advertisements. Copywriting is an important skill for anyone in the modern world, especially those who want to run their own business. This is where this book comes in handy. It is by no means extensive, but that’s what makes it worth the read, particularly if you’re just starting out. Ischia explains what copy is and how it’s used, as well as how to determine what strategy and tone of voice is best in different circumstances. Ischia even provides his readers with a handy checklist of things to consider as they write. Whether you’re a writer or not, if you might end up writing copy, this book is for you.
Whether you’ve dreamt of being a novelist, your office’s wordsmith, your family’s historian, or just the right kind of copywriter, I hope that at least one of the books on this list helps you to fuse your passions with the exciting world of writing. Whether you start building habits using The 12 Week Year for Writers, learn how to write effectively from Roslyn Petelin, enjoy the creative journey with Joey Franklin, or become a top copywriter, remember that writing is a process. Writing fuses presence and patience with lots of coffee and turns it into words that can make the world a better place.
So, happy reading and happy writing, everyone!
Kiara Thomas is a Media and Communications student with a major in Writing and Publishing at UNE. As an avid reader, Kiara is excited to share her love of books with the world. When she’s not studying, Kiara works as a writer and communications assistant for Canberra’s 1WAY FM.
Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash
