First! There have been many great suggestions about opening up the process by which one can have their page critiqued on the blog so that it is not quite as dependent on being in the right time zone and clicking the refresh button seven thousand times and argh will Nathan just post already I’ve been staring at this screen so long WHEN I LOOK AWAY I STILL SEE ORANGE!!!!!
While you have to admit that seeing everything in the color orange is rather awesome, I am going to try out a new system this week. If you’d like to have your page critiqued on the blog on Monday, you now have an opportunity to nominate your page at your leisure in the Forums. All you have to do is paste your page in this thread, and next Monday I’ll use a random number generator to pick the winning page for critique.
Democracy in action!!! Or, you know, luck. Which is just as good, I’m told.
Transition!
The reading habits of writers is something that always fascinates me. While I think it’s a given that a good writer needs to also be a good and widely-read reader, what types of books are necessary to read?
And especially: do you read in the genre you write? Is this necessary? Is it helpful? Or is it more helpful to read in other genres to see what other people are doing?
What sayeth you? And credit goes to my wife for thinking of this topic. (Whoops! Also Mira posted this question in the Forums a few months back. Synchronicity!)
I think it's really important to write both in and out of genre–IN genre though, I am more careful to read both GOOD examples and BAD examples so I don't fall into pits or traps.
In OTHER genres, I prefer to stick to just good books…
I can't imagine wanting to write in a genre that I also didn't love to read. That would feel way too much like work.
I read more in genre's I don't write. I spend a lot of time in science mags.
Definitely. I love to read and have since I was a child. It's only been in the last 10 or 15 years that I began write. I write the kinds of books I would like to read.
It's the other way around for me. I choose to–nay, MUST–write in the genre I enjoy reading the most. In this way I muster the greatest amount of interest/passion in what I'm writing. I hear over and over from writers that, if you don't enjoy reading your own work, how can you expect others to enjoy it?
I write poetry, YA fantasy, and literary fiction.
I read children's fiction (esp. fantastical); literary and mainstream (book club type) fiction; classics; sci-fi and romance adult novels; poetry; non-fiction (especially popular science); some memoirs.
So, I read widely. I am more of a generalist than a specialist.
I find that the nonfiction books I read give me a lot to work with in my fiction writing. Little bits of brain science (okay more than a few bits), tons of research on temperament theory- those things have helped me more in creating characters that take on lives of their own than reading in my own genre(s).
I like to read a lot of humor, too- I started with tons of Peanuts books as a kid- love old Calvin and Hobbes and Garfield and especially, especially Bloom County. Get Fuzzy is great too. I find that the cartoonist's take on the world helps me observe things in a different way and has really helped me, now that I think of it, more with writing comedy than anything else possibly could in my other genre(s).
Wow, I hadn't thought about that before. Thanks for making me think Mira and Mrs. Bransford- even though it kinda hurts!
I do. Plus I watch movies set in the same time period as my current WIP. It keeps the mood and the general atmosphere I'm shooting for easily accessible.
🙂
G.
Mostly I like reading fantasy, particularly historical fantasy which is what I write. But I also love reading about faith, history, (anything with a compelling story!) how to (not just writing-related) and parenting books/articles. Then there are the romances that I get sucked into and sometimes am asked to review. Of course, there's also the YA stuff I love and it tends to cover the same gamut, but also includes urban fantasy and straight-forward fiction. We won't go into what I read for my toddler, who has it all memorized anyway and doesn't need me to read so much as listen.
I tend to ignore genre in general when choosing something to read, because a good many books do not fit precisely into only one genre. I want a book I will enjoy reading and that I learn from, so I'm not going to pass on a book that looks interesting because of the genre someone decided it must be shoved into. I also don't distinguish between adult, fiction and nonfiction, YA, or even J selections. I simply love books.
One of the absolutely BEST things about writing Middle Grade is that I get to read MG with impunity. I anyone looks at the garrishly covered book with monsters or wizards, or whatever, on the front, I can say (at least to myself) that it's research. Ha! I read just about anything and everything, but I absolutely love to read Middle Grade.
I read in the genre I write,romance suspense. That said,I also read what I would like to write. Horror,fantasy,mystery.How can you write if you don't love to read.
Hmm, well I do write in genres that I read, but I enjoy reading all sorts of genres so I dont think it correlates. However, I do agree that reading in genres that you also write helps facilitate your writing process.
~TRA
https://xtheredangelx.blogspot.com
I read mysteries and I read them. But I also enjoy sci-fi, histories and biographies.
Yes, I love to read fiction and fantasy novels.
My two favorite authors never read other peoples work. Reading peoples stuff is OK up to a point but sooner or later the idea engine within either kicks starts itself or not. I like watching movies and read books that are recommended or given to me by people who probably read way to much.
A long time ago I read so many books I guess I decided to read books that sound and feel honest no matter what the point of view. If it feels real I read it. I always read the last thirty pages first in order not to waste time and finish a book just to finish.
Fo Sho! I read lotsa paranormal romance, which is the genre I write. Right now my only reading outside that genre is non-fiction- but I go through phases.
I don't think it's to my benefit to read everything in my genre. I tend to start copycatting when I read while writing. Sometimes I think it's better not to know.
Like the series I just finished- I hadn't read Kresely Cole yet when I started it, and I'm glad! I would have wondered if it was too "Kresley Cole on the water with mermaids and other sea creatures."
Good question!
I read primarily in my genre, young adult urban/fantasy or fantasy/realism, so that I can stay current on teen issues and interests. That said, I also read most other genres as well, with the exception of nonfiction. It just doesn't appeal to me. I think that we can learn something from every book we read. Life is learning.
I do read my genre but not primarily and I think you should write about whatever you feel passion for. I try to read a wide variety of books however. It doesn't hurt to experience other styles and techniques. I like to study the way authors handle their genre. I may not be writing a horror novel but I can study how an author builds suspense and handles description. I may not be writing a sci-fi or fantasy but I enjoy their creative description of their unique worlds. Or I may get drawn into the internal monologue from a character in one of the classics so that I can learn and give my characters depth. Mostly I read for fun and write with that same enjoyment but I do believe that reading outside your genre can give you creative approaches to your own work.
What would you say if you understand that I have read only one book in the genre in which I wrote my novel? I would say that this is a blessing. Probably the first author in the genre felt the same way. Like the first blank sheet of paper in the world belongs only to you and to nobody else. So you feel free to write your story without feeling that it reminds one another, which has already been written. I feel like the first sculptor.
Now I read something in another genre – one of the best books by contemporary authors that I've ever read. The title of the book is Shantaram.