RULE SIX
READ TO TEACH; READ TO LEAD. 
History has seen many people wishing they did, or did not do certain things before passing away: only recently, the inventor of the world’s most famous machine gun—the AK47, wished his gun did not get into the hands of criminals and negative extremists.
Mikhail Kalashnikov implied that “his invention was intended to protect rather than take lives….” Like this great man, many people wish to be philanthropists, but only a handful has the needed, to give: no one can give what he or she does not have—this goes too, for writers. The worth of anyone’s perception is best rated by its knowledge domain—mind’s stored information. Having that said, I wonder what a non-reading writer has to offer. “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time or tool to write.”1
The importance of reading can never be overstated: as was perceived in the life of one of God’s army who had great skill and understanding, but was under bondage in Babylon with the plunder and desolation of Jerusalem during the reign of Darius. He proclaimed his “understanding by books … that they ought to have gained freedom after seventy years under seizure.”2 This made him exceptionally outstanding amongst other wise men and amid his compatriots. What then are you waiting for, to start reading? 
Fellow writer, you must read to teach; you have to read, if you must take the lead. There is no gainsaying this assertion, “readers are leaders;” for it is the power, which knowledge gives that it takes to be a leader, and the only way to be empowered is to imbibe teachings of proven authorities in written words. Leadership prowess is primed with enhanced ability, which is substantiated with in-depth research that is pulled off through thorough reading.
Read! Read! Read! When reading, look out for what makes a book, both engaging and ineffective. Read any book your hands find to read, for there just might be an unforeseen reason, it came your way: read books—good or bad, so as to see what and how to improve on your writing, for the borders of the bad are customarily the bounds surrounding the good. Understanding poor writing therefore, enables the studious writer to know what exactly to avoid when working on a writing project. Studying other writers’ works on a general note, 
allows the examiner to be abreast of a number of writing styles, in order to strike a balance when mastering one or some. Unlimited learning will make it possible for one to know when to appositely go with informality, or flow with formalness. You—the writer will also know how to employ characters and elements like conflict, suspense … and dialogue in different genres of literature, in a bid to boost without inhibition, the quality of your literary pieces.
Idea borne inspirations can jump into your mind as you read books written by other authors. Reading different subjects and knowing from other writers’ perceptions, enables one to see from various perspectives and harness several perceptions; thereby, broadening own mind with new or refreshed knowledge. It is with reading that the mind is exercised, and made alert for use. Reading exclusively, stimulates creativity; moreover, reading as it pertains to writing makes for in-depth 
understanding of what has been assimilated, and promotes the accumulation of new words that will aid vocabulary surges to be laid down in due time. More so, the act of reading is a source of invigorating entertainment for those whose hobby it is. Do, to find both power and pleasure, and then have those imbibed values transferred to the audience reading your literary pieces.
That you still reserve moments of respite to check out my newsletters is an indication that we are heading to our intended destination where all who write, do it right; in this respect, I pledge my undying loyalty to share with you in continuance, impartations you deserve.
In the meantime, I pray you can live up to expectation, keeping this rule: READ TO TEACH; READ TO LEAD. Like other rules preceding and succeeding this one, this sure will make your penning defy all odds and be appreciated by almost, if not all readers. With this know-how your writing will be beefed up with veritable and viable contents that will meet the needs for which they have been crafted, without hitches.
This is the rule—not a law breaker: Since that, which you know is your bargaining power, and your edge to take a lead; read inexhaustibly to garner all there is, about the subject you deal: after meeting your set study target in tangent to time, extend it by reading one more chapter, page, paragraph, or get to know a new word at least. Never stand still—keep moving by any means; in the same vein, be active rather than passive with learning: for the path of inactivity, as we now know, leads nowhere.
Rule seven of our write right rules will be coming before you know it…. Keep watch!
In my next newsletter hitting your inbox soon—precisely in two days, you will know how to achieve goals, beyond setting them. They plan to fail, who do not plan at all: having a foresight of an anticipated purpose is what planning—setting goals about that aim, does. Be aided by the information therein. This will come your way as the seventh of our TEN RULES governing, to improve writing. It is titled: GOALS—Set, to Achieve them. Be expectant; for the expectation of the faithful will not be cut off.
Take charge, my colleague.
Malik Obynna.
References:
- Stephen King.
- Dan. 9:2. (Bible)
Acknowledgement:
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