As an aspiring writer you’re often exposed to regular aphorisms intended to help you improve your craft: write what you know about, show don’t tell, etc One that I have always struggled with is the instruction to “read like a writer” with the warning that once you become “ a writer” the way you read a book will alter so that you will never be able to enjoy a book as you did before.
I understand the idea behind this - the suggestion to take in a writer’s style, use of language, observe their tools even whilst you are consuming their narrative. The problem I have always had is that if a writer is good and their story draws you in, you tend to forget to read like a writer (which isn’t to say there isn’t something to be learned when the writer is not good and the story does not draw you in).
I recently found a solution to the dilemma: Audiobooks. You engage with the story through an audiobook in a different way to the hardcopy in your hand (or on your ereader if you’re that way inclined). I’ve recently listened to Stephen King’s The Stand on audiobook and the experience was beneficial. Maybe because I know the story already so well I was able to listen as a critical reader - to appreciate some of the “tricks of the trade” Sai King uses to tell his tale. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend coming to The Stand through an audiobook as a first read, and I envy anyone who hasn’t read it the opportunity to experience it afresh, but as a learning tool it’s definitely one to consider.
