Do you read like a writer?

THE CONTEXT: In her seminal book, Wondrous Words: Writers and Writing in the Elementary Classroom (NCTE, 1999), Katie Wood Ray asserts: “Writing well involves learning to attend to the craft of writing, learning to do the sophisticated work of separating what it’s about from how it is written” (10). 

Reading like a writer means lots of things. Using Ray’s book (pages 13-14), here is what it means to read like a writer:

• “[W]hen writers read, they can’t help but see writing possibilities in the texts they encounter. If we know that a particular activity is something we will be doing (writing), if we see ourselves as someone who does this thing (writes), then we have a different way of looking at that thing (text) as we make our way through the world.” 
• “To learn from other writers, students have to live with the kind of expectations that come from being people who write. Once students see themselves this way, they are able to lay their work down alongside that of other writers and see habits and crafts mirrored there, and also extend their own understandings of what it means to write.” 
• “So, in order to gather a repertoire of craft possibilities that will help a writer write well, that writer first has to learn how to read differently, how to read with a sense of possibility, a sense of ‘What do I see here that might work for me in my writing?’ This is what reading like a writer means–to read with a sense of possibility.”

WHY IT MATTERS: You are the lead writer in your class’s writing community. As such, your students rely on you to share your writing with them so they can understand your process, witness your struggles, view massive revisions, see your edits, etc. If you’re reading this, you know that a teacher of writing must be a teacher who writes. 

PRACTICAL EXAMPLES: Writing beyond your teaching role can help you grow as a writer. To find mentor texts for yourself, explore high-quality publications. I’ve selected four texts from different genres that I first read for content, then analyzed for their exceptional qualities. I approached these with a writer’s mindset, I hope they’ll inspire your writing too. (All linked articles in this post are gift articles, so you can read them without a paywall.)

• Book Review: In “Ina Garten’s Memoir of Fortune, Work and Being Obsessed With Her Husband,” Marisa Meltzer drew readers into Ina Garten’s world, providing the context and background needed to understand Garten’s personal growth arc. While I’ve bought some of Garten’s cookbooks, I don’t think I would have picked up Garten’s memoir had it not been for the emotional resonance displayed in this review. At the end of the review, which provided a balanced perspective, Meltzer closed with one of the Barefoot Contessa’s catchphrases, “How great is that?”  It was great – and persuasive enough to make me want to read Be Ready When the Luck Happens once published. In the meantime, I saved the review to my digital mentor texts file.
  • It took me five days to read Be Ready When the Luck Happens. Narrated by Garden, it felt as though she were sitting beside me and sharing her story, wisdom, and wit. It was a true pleasure to listen to the audiobook.
• Feature Article: I shared “How Does a Baseball Team Lose 120 Games? Every Way You Can Think Of” by Sam Anderson with my husband and son the day before the Chicago White Sox broke the record for most games lost in a season. As I read it aloud to them, I couldn’t help but notice the way Anderson wove together multiple elements to create a compelling narrative. He alternated between detailed game descriptions, personal observations, and broad context about the White Sox’s season. Anderson’s writing was vivid and full of rich description. He included a variety of details, including quotes from the fans. It was a long piece that gave readers a balanced perspective, including the team’s struggles and moments of joy. 
• News Report: “The life of two Boeing Starliner astronauts stuck indefinitely in space” was written by Christian Davenport, a reporter specializing in space industry coverage. Although I hadn’t read his work before July, his article about Astronauts Suni Williams and Barry “Butch” Wilmore’s extended stay in space captivated me with its exceptional writing. From the first paragraph, Davenport’s vivid descriptions transported me to the space station, allowing me to imagine the astronauts’ experiences as they faced an uncertain return date. His ability to blend technical information with engaging storytelling made this complex subject accessible and fascinating. (Thankfully, Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth in the Starliner in early September.) It’s remarkable when a writer can achieve an informative report that’s also engaging.
• Obituary: I saved this obit when someone shared it with me in 2023. The obituary was written by Robert Weide, a director and executive producer of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” for his wife, who passed away far too soon. This obituary to his wife, Linda, wasn’t merely a regurgitation of accomplishments and lists of family members. It has an intimate and personal tone, showing vulnerability throughout. However, it was humorous amidst the palpable grief Weide expressed. Here are three parts that stuck out to me:
  • She died on Christmas Day, 2022, peacefully, at home, and in my arms. If you must die, try to do it in the arms of someone who loves you. It helps.
  • She was remarkably low maintenance. We both appreciated the occasional meal in a fine restaurant and traveling abroad, but some years I’d ask what she wanted for her birthday, and she would answer, “a grilled cheese sandwich.” Typical.
  • For those who never knew her, I’m sorry for your loss.

ONE FINAL THING: I have a digital mentor texts folder where I curate the simplified texts (no images) of articles to use with educators who want to practice reading like a writer with texts written for adults.

THE BOTTOM LINE: The ability to read like a writer is at the heart of growing as a writer. By nurturing this skill in ourselves, we develop a writing life that allows us to learn from texts and continuously enhance our craft.

WHAT’S NEXT: You can read like a writer and begin to see improvements in your writing craft by doing a few things. Here’s a potential plan for how this could go: