5 Reasons Why Writers Should Buy The Amazon Kindle

Becoming a better writer involves becoming a better reader. Reading inspires, implanting ideas that will soon transform into a writer’s own words.

Reading offers fresh perspective and provokes many of our own opinions and values that we can turn into an essay, poem, short story, or memoir.

A writer’s own life experiences and perspectives are often merged with the ideas that have already been written down by others. I always think much of writing as just telling the same story in a different way, through different eyes. We have all experienced a fantastic sunset or tasted a savory meal, but writers can recreate and make each one of those experiences completely different. Words are magical in that way.

Reading also helps writers recognize good writing from bad. Weak writing from strong. Some of the best writers read with a critical mind and revise the piece in their own minds in order to make it better. Or improve their own writing.

You may read a particular passage that creates an impact, making you pause and contemplate the meaning before reading further. Often times, a meaningful sentence can instigate a whole flood of thoughts.

Best selling author, Stephen King tells us that to be good writers, we have to do two things: read a lot and write a lot. King also states, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”  With the Amazon Kindle, books are even MORE portable!

The Amazon Kindle holds a place on the Amazon.com bestseller list, and sales are not slowing down. With each generation, Amazon improves Kindle’s features and interface. (When I am talking about the Kindle, I am not referring to the Kindle Fire, since that is more of a tablet.) If you are still contemplating buying the Kindle or another eBook reader/ tablet computer, here are five reasons why the Kindle is a winner.

1. Only Used for Reading

There are so many gadgets out there for reading ebooks, but many of them provide more opportunities for distractions with games and Internet browsing than for productive reading. Many people ask, why buy a Kindle when you could buy something like an iPad? An iPad is more of a large smart phone without the ability to make a phone call.

For one thing, the Kindle costs significantly less. The main difference is that the Kindle focuses on one thing: reading. Yes, you can read eBooks on the iPad, but you don’t get the benefit of the e-Ink screen, and instead get the glare that can tire out the eyes quicker.  In addition, the battery life of a Kindle is significantly longer than a tablet, and you can read the screen in bright sunlight.

2. Easy On The Eyes

As I mentioned above, the e-Ink technology for the Kindle screen means that it’s extremely easy on the eyes. When you are typing all day long on a computer screen, staring at one while enjoying the simple pleasure of reading can be irritating. The downside is that the Kindle doesn’t display color, or have a backlight for night-time reading. However, this is how Kindle maintains its feeling of a “real” book.

If you love reading and want a device that won’t ruin the experience of reading physical books then the Kindle is definitely the option for you.

3. Can Annotate and Highlight the Good Stuff

This is probably one of my favorite features of the Kindle. When I read something that sparks my creativity, I can instantly highlight it or take notes. To bring the good-readers-make-good-writers theory back around, this is called active reading. As an active reader, I feel the need to jot down some of my own ideas that can spur writing of my own. The Kindle makes this super easy.

4. Multiple Books in One Lightweight Gadget

If you are a writer, most likely you carry around a laptop for long trips to stay on top of your writing. With the Kindle, you can also bring along multiple books, without any significant additional weight. It gives you the opportunity to not only carry around your favorite novel, but writing reference books, or other resources, all at less than one pound.

The Kindle also gives you the best eBook store at your fingertips, in case you get the urge for something new. When you do decide to buy an eBook, it takes mere seconds to pay, and in just a few moments, you’ll have the book ready to read on your device.

5. Free Network Access

With all the smart phones, home Internet access, and tablets making a dent in your monthly bills, the last thing you want is another data plan. If you buy the 3G version of the Kindle you will benefit from 3G connectivity around the world without signing up for a monthly plan and no data limits. The 3G connectivity is included in the one time price of the Kindle and allows you to buy from the Kindle store or even use Amazon’s web browser.

Although the Kindle is not just beneficial to writers, I wanted to point out some of the benefits I find useful as a writer. I think a Kindle is the closest thing to curling up with a book. But be careful, buying books can get addictive.

Related articles

• Today’s FREE eBooks for Download (February 25) (randomizeme.net)
• Buy and Read Kindle eBooks on PC and Mac (connectwithyourteens.net)

Tagged as: amazon kindle, ereaders for writers