Editor encourages reading to grow one’s imagination and expand horizons
"Grab a book, or grab a pen. Either way, create your own world, and along the way, learn and grow as a person."
Read, and then read some more. Not just social media comments, but read books and newspapers.
This is the advice Boksburg Advertiser editor Riaan Engelbrecht gave to any young mind striving to fulfill their dreams and to make a success of life.
Engelbrecht, who is also a practising author for many years, said there is nothing more important than reading.
“Immerse yourself in the world of books. Read fiction and non-fiction. Read short novels and read weighty books. Read the news. Be a student of the written word.
“It is not good enough to just read cellphone messages or social media posts,” said the editor.
“If you want to develop your knowledge, creativity, imagination and your reference base and even your level of skills, then read.
“Reading helps to broaden your horizons, to understand the world, society and history.”
In his capacity as a pastor, Engelbrecht has written 20 non-fiction books, along with countless essays, dealing with the Christian faith.
All of them are published on a multitude of self-publishing platforms, such as Amazon.
“My first book I wrote regarding the faith was in 2002 when I started out on the journey of being a teacher of the Word. Surprisingly, it was published, which was an exhilarating feeling. Years later I stumbled upon one of the copies in a small bookstore in Silverton, Pretoria. Such is the nature of books, they love to travel and inspire.”
He said he has always loved to write.
“This is why I am also a journalist. My life is consumed by words, but such a love was cultivated by my love for reading. Therefore, books have a special place in my heart, for they have been a companion of mine for decades.”
Engelbrecht points out that books helped him to overcome the many educational challenges he faced when his family moved overseas.
“At the age of seven, I could only speak two words of English – yes and no. Yet, I was enrolled in The British School in The Netherlands,” said Engelbrecht, who also attended St John’s International School in Belgium before matriculating in Pretoria.
“The only way I could overcome the language barrier was to read, and so I became a regular visitor to the school library. I just kept reading, day in and day out, and fell in love with the world of books. The Hardy Boys provided me with a great sense of adventure.
“From an early age, as I immersed myself in the English language, I began to write my own stories. I would escape into the magical world of pirates for my school assignments, but I also loved to write horrors.”
Engelbrecht, who is a devoted student of history, said at one stage he consumed the works of horror maestros such as Stephen King, whom he regards as still one of the greatest storytellers.
“My days of horrors are long gone, but my other great love remains, which is fantasy. From an early age, I stumbled upon Tolkien and his Middle Earth, along with the incredible tales weaved by authors such as Terry Brooks and Stephen Donaldson.
“One of my first stories of vampires was written by hand. It was just awful and I had to read it to my family one cold European night before the fire. At least it contained self-drawn illustrations.
“My second attempt was on a typewriter with a bottle of Tippex at hand. It was a weak attempt at a Robin Crusoe-like adventure.”
Engelbrecht said he did attempt to create a fantasy trilogy many moons ago, but along the line came unstuck.
“Creating a fantasy world is not the easiest of tasks. It is daunting. I might revisit that project one day.”
Regarding publishing, he said years ago it was an almost impossible task to be an established author in South Africa.
“The world of self-publishing, especially the advent of e-books, have given a voice to so many aspiring authors.
“I love the opportunity that such self-publishing platforms provide to authors. Sure, all the work might not be incredibly professional, but at least thoughts, ideas and stories are now seeing the light of day. And there are, of course, many other such platforms which helps to enrich the culture of reading and encourages writing.
“It bodes well for the future, for books are the foundation for an educated world, and an educated world can only survive when it embraces the love for reading, to write and to share, to learn and to acquire knowledge and wisdom,” said Engelbrecht, who at one time formed a book club to encourage people to read and write.
To aspiring authors, he said too many sadly abandon their love and the story they want to tell.
“Just sit down and start writing. It might not always be great, but it might just resonate with one person and change that person’s life. It is a lonely job, but is so fulfilling, and so is reading.
