To be a halfway decent writer, you have to be a more than decent reader! Established authors are the pros of the trade…learn from them.

You cannot be a writer without being a reader, and for that reason, I hope to share with you some of my favourite stories/authors and what I have learned from them. Presenting –

BACK TO BOOKS!

Today’s story is going to be short and young but I kid you not, it is going to be helpful to learn from it!(see what I did there? :P) I remember that for me, reading was an activity that I enjoyed even as child, and I am pretty sure that the kid who read Pinnochio and Aladdin is the reason why this adult writes.

Pinnochio played an important role for me, even though I never knew who wrote it. I personally had the Scholastic book’s version of Pinnochio, with beautiful illustrations to boot.

What strikes me about children’s books is that they are so unapologetically imaginative, yet so clean and simple. And so begins the lessons learned from children’s books –

• You have a crazy idea, complicated and complex theories to share? Then keep your writing as simple as possible. Do not let the content be confusing and overpower your theory.
• Know your audience and put out content that marries well with their level. No schmancy fancy words are needed, leave those for the dissertations and journals of the world.
• It’s ok to add a bit of colour and low-key cheesiness in your words once in a while. Just don’t overdo it.
• Aim to entertain and engage; learning and awareness will follow!

That’s it for today folks, have a nice day and read a good book! With coffee, obviously!