Reading to an author is like air to a humans, or water to fish.
Without it–reading–we run dry.
As I draw towards launching my latest novel into the world–last edits being applied to this work–my thoughts turn to choosing my next project.
Manifesting the transition from this work I am about to working on my next project summons within me the need to read.
Why?
Because the words of other writers–those with more experience and expertise–and working to tell their stories along side mine, energizes those aspects within me.
The energy of their words electrifies my need and compulsion to return to once again return to the beginning of the beginning and settle on–consider how I will craft the opening of this next work.
It’s difficult leaving an accomplishment and starting from scratch, setting one’s self back at ground zero.
But that is what we do as writers.
We write a story, detail our heart’s delight, shape, craft, refine, and edit it into clean, clear and entertaining and thoughtful fashion—then let it go, only to turn around and begin the process all over.
What holds us stead through all these shifts and turns, the transitions and resolutions of our characters’ multifaceted dilemmas are always the words and characters–the action and dialogue of those characters crafted by authors. Seeing, witnessing the artistry of these writers, our colleagues of present time and yore sustains us.
Reading.
It keeps ups writing, believing and hoping–crafting, mining the hearts of our stories and the soul of our hearts that hold the stories we have yet to tell.
Without reading we cannot write.
What are you reading?
I just started Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs. I’m not too sure about it yet. It is definitely a ‘different’ book.
I just finished reading The Vampire Bride by Gena Showalter, Five Months with Thomas by Shirley Hailstock, and The Sugar Rush by Elaine Overton. This week I’m reading Deception by Selena Montgomery.
I’ve heard that Augusten Burroughs is a good writer. Unfortunately I saw the movie “Running With Scissors” before reading the book. Alas, both me and my husband loved the movie and sadly never got around to reading the book. I got the feeling that if I had we would have liked that too. I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on it. Please keep me posted. Thanks for your comment.
These titles sound as if they are mix of genres. I’m curious about “Deception”. Is that anywhere related to the movie “Deception”? What is it about?
I’m also curious about “Five Months” and “The Sugar Rush”.
Are you a writer too?
Hi Anjuelle,
As an author, I understand your ‘need to read’. I’ve always been an bookworm as well as a writer. At the moment I’m reading ‘Okay-a novel’ by Katherine Marple
Maria
No. Deception is the latest from Selena Montgomery. She writes romantic suspense. I just started it but it’s about a woman (Fin) who returns home to prove her “mother” innocent from murder charges. The lady (Mrs. Faraday) raised her since she was ten. There is a killer on the loose and Fin works along with an undercover FBI agent (Caleb) to prove her mother’s innoncence. I just started, so I’ll keep you posted on what I think. Selena Montgomery usually don’t disappoint me though.
Five Months was good. It’s sort a tear jerker to me though.
The Sugar Rush was also a good read. I can read a book in a few hours if I don’t have much to do.
Yes I am a writer and I have a serious case of writer’s block right now. I just haven’t been up to writing lately. I think I have too many distractions (blogging, internet, family, reading, etc.) that just steer me away from focusing on completing my manuscript. I can see the finish product but I just need a week or two to just focus on nothing else but finishing it.
I have other manuscripts I have started, but I refuse to work on anything else until I have a completed manuscript. I have been working on this one for about four years. I know that’s a long time, but it was my first. It’s an inch that I’ve scratch, rubbed cortizone on it, scratched again, applied some more and now thank God it’s almost healed. LOL! I’m near completion.
I think I have pulled out, redone, added until right now I’m going out of my mind. I’m trying to train myself to focus. Sometimes I don’t think it’s working, though.
I picked up a few books over those years. I researched the writing and publishing process to polish my work to literary perfection. The difference from 2005 and 2009, is unbelievable. I have really grown and I hope to grow even more.
It’s interesting that you include blogging as a distraction to your writing and also reading. I always thought the two helped. What genre do you write? Forgive me if I missed you having stated that. Let’s connect. Sometimes talking about your stories can open up those blocked passages. Writer’s block is no fun.
I look forward to hearing about your stories.
Again, as a writer I must read. I know that now. I’ve loved to read, even though I couldn’t always find what appealed to me and my senses. Going through my MFA program taught me how to search for what I like, how to extend my tastes without putting myself through torture. But more importantly it taught me how to keep a book with me at all time–not feel I need to sit down and tear through a book like lightening to feel like I was reading it.
It taught me how to savor a book–and that if I need to lay a book down for a while and come back to it–that’s okay.
Of course laying a book aside was not an option in my MFA program. We had to read 60 books in 4 semesters.
Still I graduated with a deeper need to read–one that now rivals my need and desire to write. I think I came away from my MFA program with more than I entered.
What I’m I reading? That’s a good question, because I am ALWAYS reading something. Not only do I love to read, but I am also a reviewer for RomanceInColor.com so I always have something to ready, whether I want to or not-LOL.
Right now, I am very behind in my 2008 reading–yes, I know it’s 2009. But with me concentrating on my writing last year, I purchased all the books I wanted to read, and put them on the shelf. Since I read a lot of category romance, if you don’t buy them their release month, you run the risk of them not being available a month or so later, at all.
So, I just finished up Cole’s Red Hot Pursuit by Brenda Jackson (for personal reading) and Deadly Charm by Claudia Mair Burney (for both personal and review purposes).
When I first started on my wip last year, I decided to take a break from AA romance, unless it was a book I had to review. I thought that reading too much in the same genre that I was writing in would someone influence my plot development and character; or I would get discouraged if I happened upon a story that was similar to my idea.
So, I started reading craft books (to help me get going) and I delved into my second favorite genre- paranormal.
I am slowly but surely adding more AA romance back into my reading diet (i’ve got to make a dent in those 30+books on my shelf from 2008-lol). I realized I missed them too much, so I’m adding them back in an effort to find balance among my author, mother/wife, and full time employee roles.
I am reading ‘The Lollipop Shoes’ by Joanne Harris, ‘Things Fall Apart’ by Chinua Achebe and the Bible.
They are taking me a little while as my time is split between so many things, but I will NEVER give up reading – it is truly food for my soul.
I love “Things Fall Apart”. So much so that I named the major character in my novel, The Road to Ibadan, Nwoye.
I’m also glad to know that I and my daughter in college aren’t the only ones who read more than two books at once.
Thanks again for your comments.