Some of the best writers I have ever met are people who have English Literature degrees. I do not know whether this is a coincidence, but maybe it is because they have had to read books as often as I drink coffee. There is actually a method to reading correctly that few people know about. It is called reading actively and I believe this is the key to becoming a better writer than you are at present. 

I realised some time ago that if I wanted to become a better writer then my reading skills had to improve. It was really difficult to train myself to read books in an entirely new way. It involved developing a sharp mind, increasing my attention span, so I am focusing on the book and nothing else, and make reading books a priority over everything else. Reading and writing go hand in hand, like salt and vinegar.  

Here a few of the small changes I have made to the way I read. The results have been really noticeable.  

Try reading just one book at any one time. If you are anything like me, I normally had at least three books on the go. I used to read certain genres depending on what mood I was in at the time. I found that it took me forever to finish a book. This transferred into my writing projects also. I knew how to start a book or a manuscript, but by the time it came to creating a powerful ending, I was stuck for ideas. By focusing your attention on one book, you become absorbed in the lives of the characters and engaged in the storyline. You also become more aware of details like the writer's style and areas that you dislike or like such as elements of dialogue, foreshadowing and conflict. Begin this method by reading books by authors you love and then use this technique for all future reading. 

You must also only read books when you are totally awake or not preoccupied. You need to learn as much as you can from the book, and this is impossible if you are tired or your mind is on something else. Many of us read just before we go to sleep, but this is not reading actively. Keep short stories or magazine articles for bedtime reading. Also, make notes as you go, whether it is a certain personality trait of a character, a piece of dialogue or an area of action; make a note of it. If you cannot bring yourself to write in the margins, just use a notebook. Ask yourself questions as you go through the book. How are the characters developing? What is the inciting incident? Why did I like/dislike that plot point? Your answers may change as you work your way through the book, but that is perfectly acceptable because, as we know, reading is subject to the reader's individual taste. 

Read books that you regard as your favourites. Using the techniques above, ask yourself why you enjoy this book. When you are reading books by your favourite authors, what patterns in their writing do you notice? You should also read books in the same genre you write in. This gives you an idea of what the competition looks like but also what works and what doesn’t. Are there some recognisable patterns in the bestsellers that are non-existent in less popular novels? 

Reading outside your specialised genre is also important. It is challenges like this that teach us about ourselves as writers, and also give us inspiration for our own projects. You are more likely to find a love scene in a romance novel than a fantasy novel. But what if you were a science fiction writer and wanted to include a subplot of a romance between two characters? If you only read science fiction novels, how would you know where to begin to create a believable love story? It is important you set yourself a timescale for reading a book. Try to increase the number of books you read per month. If you usually read a book a month, try increasing it to two. Once you have completed a book, write a short review covering all the aspects of the book you enjoyed, and those not so much. Does this book have potential for a sequel, and what would happen during that book?