You've all heard the saying, "If you don't read books then you shouldn't be writing them," right? I mean, it makes perfect sense. It's one of the top pieces of advice out there for writers, and it's actually advice I've passed on myself to those who have asked me, "I want to be a writer, what advice can you give me?" #1: Write. Write something everyday and continually strive to write better than the day before and #2 Read. Read everything you can get your hands on, especially in the genre you prefer to write. It's sound advice, and I still stick by it, but here is my problem...I don't think I've read anything, and I mean anything, in a very long time. How can I possibly give out this advice when I'm not even following it...ahhh, such the hypocrite. All my life I've been known to have my nose in a book. I used to sneak books into class and hide them behind my text books so I could read them. I went to the library ALL of the time. And I've been known to put life on hold just to finish a book (just ask my husband and kids). I could finish a book in a matter of hours--HOURS. This is true. So what the heck is going on now? Is it simply a matter of finding a good book to read? Possibly. But really I think it is a matter of shutting down my internal editor so I can gloss over mistakes and get into the story. I've been in editing mode off and on for the past year or more and so that's where my head is. So every time I pick up a book all I can see are the problems--every single book has them. They do. No book is without fault. Does that mean the story is bad? No. I'm sure most of the books are great, I just can't get past some of the "weirdness" for lack of a better word. In the past several weeks I've probably started and stopped reading a dozen books or more. I'm a member of two book clubs and I haven't finished reading an assigned book in months. I get part way, lose interest or get frustrated, and give up. It's horrible. I want to find my passion for reading again. I need to. But I'm not sure how. Maybe when I'm out of the editing phase (will I ever be out of the editing phase? It seems when I finish editing one book I'm quickly tossed into editing another). Help. I want to enjoy reading again. I think I need a book with a fast pace, with interesting characters, and a super plot with twists and turns. Any suggestions? How do I get my love for reading back? How do I look past the "weirdness" and simply enjoy the story like I used to do? Advice is welcomed and appreciated.
8 Comments
8/6/2012 03:18:11 am
First, let me say, "Heehee... I ruined another one." :)
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8/6/2012 06:23:56 am
I understand what you mean. I'm an Indie author, I'm not published by one of the big 6, but I try my best. Hired 2 editors, one a former Simon and Schuster editor, the other a romance novel editor and indie publisher proofer, for my first book. It still had errors and It bothers me. I try to move beyond them but it's my books! But my eye is getting keener because of this situation and my second book is much better and the third even more so.
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8/6/2012 06:55:29 am
Yes, i agree with you. My first novel, "The Shade Tree Choir" will be out soon. I spend nearly all day massaging and working my business plan getting ready to promote it. There just is not enough time in the day to read and sometimes even write on new ventures.
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8/6/2012 08:03:37 am
Angela, it is possible to be an author and still enjoy a good read. Let me say that again...and still enjoy a great read. We're oversensitised to all the writerly aspects, like a decorator trying to be comfortable in the decor of different surroundings. When you get a truly page-turning read and reach the end breathless you can be sure it is a great read, with no hitches. Those are few and far between.
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8/8/2012 11:52:13 am
Yeah, I hear you. I adore reading and yet taking the time to do it these days in sometimes a challenge--I'd rather be writing. But I got a lot of reading done at a beach vacation last week and that reminded me of how much I love it. My advice to you is to read something totally, completely and crazily different from your writing so that you'll just enjoy it and not keep editing.
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8/9/2012 01:07:58 am
I hear you! I've picked up and put down so many books of late, primarily because I can't get past the bad grammar, spelling mistakes and general lack of editing. It's killing me! I guess it would be wrong to make notes and send them to the author huh?
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This is a person who finds errors in Harry Potter and can't get past them until i point them out to my son who rolls his eyes at me. For me the problem is having time to read. I agree with the advice to find a good book and immerse yourself in good quality writing and a story that carries you. Maybe you could start with short stories
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8/12/2012 05:19:18 pm
My favourite book of this year so far is Entwined by Heather Dixon. I think it has all the things you asked for. I also think the short story suggestion is a good idea. And the classic one. Pick something you can read slowly, think about, and absorb.
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