Ben Franklin said an investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. Ol' Ben was a clever guy. He has a million of these sayings that ring true and go deep.
Since I've been doing this Blog, I've become interested in the use of words to describe ordinary things. James Lee Burke writes detective novels and his use of language makes his books a joy to read.
I had the good fortune on my birthday back in January to receive a book entitled "The Clearing" by Tim Gautreaux. So far the story has not been a block buster but the use of language is extraordinary. There is a phrase or a description on every page that literally blows me away.
I read in Steven King's book "On Writing" that in order to become a good writer you should read books by good writers. So I've made a point of seeking out really good ones.
The jury is still out as to whether my investment in time reading great fiction will pay interest with my own writing, but I don't think you can go wrong reading good books.
Reading books may not make a person a writer, but - goodness - they surely do help a person's soul. Also, the friendships you acquire because of book exchanges and book talks - those things are priceless.
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