Whether you’re a reader or a reader/writer, reading manga is
almost always a win-win: a win for the author, a win for you, and a win for
your would-be audience as a writer if you are one.
Manga, for those who are unaware, are Japanese graphic novels.
As you’ve probably guessed, America doesn’t exactly have a colossal collection
of manga, which is sad.
On a happier note, there are some places where
you can find fairly good collections: in stores like Barnes and Noble,
Books-A-Million, and other chain bookstores; big-city libraries; and sometimes—sometimes—local
libraries will have small-medium collections. In addition, you can find certain
titles online (manga that haven’t been licensed yet).
Like any other genre, manga isn’t for everyone—but you’ll
never know if you don’t try it, right?
As readers (and writers with a reader’s eye), we generally want
to read things that are enjoyable, interesting, and informative…which is why
manga is such a good choice!
Alright, maybe manga isn’t exactly what most would
call ‘informative’ unless we’re investigating slightly-out-of-the-norm Japanese
culture, but it’s easy to read, hilarious, and undeniably quirky—which, to me,
is interesting.
As writers, we want to read things that are all of the above
with a particular bent toward craft. After all, one of the most important
components of developing our craft as writers is reading. Reading everything. (Although, now that I think
about it, “everything” is a bit
intimidating…)
