As my professors have been saying all through college and grad school, what may be the most important part of writing is actually reading. If you read a lot (and I do mean a LOT), you’re on your way. Of course, not all readers make good writers. And as it turns out, writers often read in a different way than your average reader. Today I want to offer some tips on reading with a writer’s eye, so that you can glean the most possible from your reading experience.

1. Notice plot and structure.

When we begin reading, we’re not saying to ourselves, “Boy, this character sure is well-developed.” We’re eagerly reading to see what happens next. That isn’t magic — most plots rely on patterns and techniques that occur again and again. You can learn those patterns if you start finding them in books you read. For example, you read and loved Tom Sawyer as a kid. Go back and look again, and you’ll see that Mark Twain uses classic tools of suspense and drama. When you read a new book, you can see these same tools at work.

2. Observe what details work and what don’t.

You can appreciate and savor a good book and also notice what makes good writing and what makes bad writing. If there’s a sentence that gives you a particular sense of happiness, underline it in the book and ask yourself what makes it work. Is it a strong verb? A clear spareness of language? A well-chosen adjective? A certain verbal flourish? Whatever it is, you can do it too — but only if you notice what is going on when an expert does it.

After the jump: two more ways to read like a writer.

3. See what makes a good opening.

When we’re reading a new book, we’re often in a hurry to get into the story and ignore the opening. It rushes by and we hardly remember it when we’ve reached the end. But openings are crucial, particularly for your own stories when you’re on the publishing trail. When you’ve reached the end of the book, flip back to the beginning and re-read the opening lines. Do they match the content of the rest of the book? Do they pull you in? Are they too showy? Too understated? Pay attention!

4. See when a writer knows to stop.

A common flaw in beginning writers’ stories (including my own) is that they don’t know when to quit. They wobble around on the stage far longer than they should. Many of the best stories make a quick, clean getaway, and you’ll find yourself noticing this in books as you read. If you’re left wanting more, then the writer has done his job. Once you’ve read a few examples of the quick exit, try one of your own in a story; cut out the last page of something you’ve written, or at least the last paragraph. Your story will thank you. Now you’re thinking like a writer!