I think writing and reading are completely synergistic; not necessarily in that one has to be a good reader to be a good writer or vice versa, but that they so inform each other. I mean, reading obviously so enriches our vocabulary, broadens our perspective, gives us ideas, awakens our mind and our compassion and our awareness and so forth, all of which I think informs our writing, for those of us who are writers.
I think I personally, as a writer, read differently knowing how tough it is to write, knowing how challenging it is to articulate it, to express clearly and economically and with focus and with purpose. I become so much more of an admirer and a fan of other people’s writing when it really works and sings. I think that children who read are better writers, and children who tell stories appreciate books.
Reading and hearing stories, those two things are completely intertwined. In fact, statistically we know that children who do read and read well and read as a preferred activity, which is different than just know how to read, are much more likely to be better writers, be more successful academically at school, and also engage in other creative pursuits such as participate in the performing arts, attend cultural events later in life. Reading has a direct impact on the degree to which children and then the adults they grow into become engaged citizens.
