American novelist E.L. Doctorow is renowned for his complex and deeply nuanced works, such as "Ragtime" and "Billy Bathgate." Doctorow frequently considered the nature of reading and how it affects one's own creative process during his writing career.

When someone picks up an engrossing book, they start to wonder about the workings of the magic rather than just following the plot. In an attempt to figure out what makes the author's words so potent and evocative, the reader almost becomes a detective. Anyone who reads extensively and has a deep emotional connection to the work can experience this curiosity; it is not just a phenomenon that occurs to professional writers or literature students.

Imagine immersing yourself in a different world while reading a book, where the characters seem just as real as your friends and family. In addition to being curious about what will happen next, you're also intrigued by the author's ability to create such realistic scenes and feelings as you turn each page. Aspiring writers may begin with this natural desire to solve the puzzle of the writing process.

According to Doctorow, this line of research frequently starts when children are first exposed to stories that have a profound emotional impact on them. Their fascination with how words evoke such powerful emotions lays the foundation for future creative endeavors, even though they may not consciously consider becoming authors themselves. This is comparable to a child who is enthralled with the magic of a magician's tricks without realizing that they are laying the groundwork for their future career as an illusionist.

Essentially, Doctorow exhorts readers to embrace this feeling of awe and inquiry regarding the art of writing. By considering the emotional or intellectual impact of certain books, we can better appreciate the craft of storytelling and possibly be inspired to try our own creative endeavors.