Why We Read

One my favorite lines in Shadowlands, a movie about C.S. Lewis and Joy Gresham, is: "We read to know we are not alone."

I'm a writer who loves to read. What I have learned from other people's writing cannot be measured.Their research and insight have enabled me to answer questions, relax or understand more about something that interests me.

A great day is one where I can sit in a comfy chair with a blanket over my lap, a cup of coffee or tea by my side, and what I call a real book in my hands - the kind with printed pages, maybe some illustrations and sometimes, if it is an old book, a certain smell. Those days are luxurious.

In the last few years, some brick and mortar bookstores have disappeared. This has largely been due to the change in the publishing industry. With electronic readers, laptops and phones that connect to the internet, the business of publishing newspapers, magazines and books will never be the same.

Happily, people are reading more - not less - because of these changes. Although I prefer reading a book in print, I travel so much that I seldom carry heavy books with me. Even though I don't have a reader, I download free classics on my laptop and take a library with me. Something to read is always available. 

While reading someone else's writing, I get ideas for my own articles, devotionals or books. If I didn't want someone else to read what I was writing, I would simply keep a private journal, like I used to do. Occasionally, someone will give me feedback about something I wrote and I know that I have connected with my reader. That is gratifying because I write to let others know they are not alone.

It was so important to God we know His love is real that He sent His Son, His living Word, to make that connection between Him and us. His inspired Word, the Bible, lets us know we are not alone. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God....And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-2, 14 NAS).

Therapeutic Writing

I enjoy writing. My self-imposed schedule of once a week articles, once a month devotionals, frequently updated Bible studies and always working on a book keeps my mind occupied. If and when adverse circumstances come along, I have discovered that because I have a writing schedule, I can keep thinking positively instead. Not all stress is bad. The tension that comes from having to write something at least once a week is a good thing. 

As a result of this writing schedule, I view things a little differently than before. Even something trivial - a stepping stone, sunrise, walking through the woods or poison ivy (not so trivial when you have a reaction to it!) or something more substantive like working with my husband on a project or becoming interested in Chinese New Year because I now have a granddaughter adopted from China - all these are potential subjects for articles.

I created a blog in order to interact with others, but the benefits I have received from being faithful in writing it have far exceeded even the potential of what it might do for anyone else. My blog is titled One Focus. It has done just that. It has kept my mind focused on what is really important.

The fact that I am constantly thinking about something to write has saved me from other distracting thoughts. Each of us experiences self-talk - talking to ourselves in our minds. What dominates our thoughts eventually comes out in our actions. Choosing to think constructive thoughts will prevent the negative thoughts from crowding in.  Or so it has for me.

The beauty of writing a blog is that you can do it from practically anywhere. I travel a great deal, but my laptop is always with me. If I have an idea, I can start on a post even when the internet is not available. In fact, I seldom sit down and post in one sitting. I need to mull it over to make sure I am communicating what I really want to say.

I have come rather late to writing, blogging and maintaining a website. There is always something new to learn about putting your thoughts “out there on the web.” It is a wonderful medium, however, when used to help others.

Whether you share your thoughts with others or keep them to yourself, your thoughts define who you are. You are not the only one engaged in the conversation that goes on in your mind - God is as well.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect...Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things... for the righteous God tries the hearts and minds (Romans 12:2, Philippians 4:8, Psalm 7:9 NAS).

The Rhythm of a Writing Style

Writing styles have certainly changed over time. Recently I reread the original Robinson Crusoe. I was shocked at how hard it was for me to get into the rhythm of Daniel DeFoe's writing style. It was a bit like reading a legato book in a staccato world. Many of his sentences are longer than my paragraphs!

I have several books on writing in my library. Write Tight: Say Exactly What You Mean with Precision and Power by William Brohaugh was highly recommended. I have found it to be quite useful.

Attention span is not what it used to be. In cultures where television is prevalent, people have become accustomed to finishing an entire story in thirty minutes. With the advance of technological devices such as laptops, IPads, IPhones etc., instantaneous information is the norm. I know few people who have patience for a slow internet connection. Practically everyone feels any price they have to pay for a fast connection is worth it.

The popularity of Twitter confirms this trend. 140 characters is enough to get your point across. Blogs longer than five hundred words are seldom read all the way through. Surveys indicate most people scan all online material instead of reading articles word for word.

In writing fiction, rambling dialogue is discouraged. Leave out cliches. Nonfiction writers are especially encouraged to write tight. You seldom need a "the" or a "that." Say what you mean. Mean what you say. Say it concisely or don't say it at all!

Writing styles also differ in translations of the Bible.  I try to sample all translations and paraphrases. It occurs to me that I don't have a problem with lengthy sentence translations (such as the King James or New King James). I suppose it is because, unlike novels like Robinson Crusoe, I read from these versions frequently.

Some people stick with one translation and swear that it is the only accurate translation there is. Funny thing, they seem to forget the original manuscripts were written in Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek. I only know one person who routinely reads from a Hebrew Bible. The rest of us have to rely on the translators to get the message across.

I am grateful for those scholars who have given us various translations and even paraphrases. Occasionally I catch something in the NIV or NAS I missed in the NKJ. I sometimes enjoy a paraphrase in my devotional reading. For deep study, the multiple word equivalents to Hebrew and Greek words in the Amplified Bible prove to be very beneficial. With all the difficulties that occur with translating one language to another, God's message comes through loud and clear to those who want to know Him.


All Scripture is inspired by God, and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 2:16-17).