Like many writers, I’m a huge fan of books. If I hear a recommendation, I’m there. The library has made it so easy for me—simply sign in online, request a book, and go check it out. My favorites are purchased at bookstores and recommended to other book-loving friends.
But I seem to come up with roadblocks when I’m writing a book (which is, actually, all the time now.) I’m reluctant to read anything in my genre (cozy mysteries), even though they’re my favorite reads for escape. I have several reasons for this:
One is the fact that it’s less of a pleasure; I’ll read the book critically and pick it apart. Were the suspects introduced in an organized way? Were there too many/not enough suspects? Am I picking up on a clue or a red herring? Is the author’s description of setting distracting or does it add to the book? Blah, blah, blah.
Another reason is that I compare my work-in-progress to the completed, edited, marketed, beautified text that I’m reading. And, guess what—my book lacks in comparison. This brings on a huge case of insecurity and heebie-jeebies that may take me hours to shake off.
Another reason is that I’m afraid I may somehow, subconsciously, change my writing voice while reading someone else’s cozy.
The final reason? I have so little time when I’m writing a book.
At first, I felt stuck. Now I’ve come up with some ways to work around my love of reading and my love of writing.
Read something short: Pick up a book of short stories. There are books of short story collections in every genre out there. Check one out. This also helps with the low-on-time factor.
Try something different in the genre you enjoy: Broaden your horizons. If you enjoy cozies (and write cozies), try thrillers, PIs, and police procedurals.
Try something completely different: Now may be the time to read an inspiring biography. Or a nonfiction book on organizing your life. Or literary fiction.
Just do it: Galley Cat recently revealed that Barack Obama is reading Joseph O’ Neill’s Netherland right now. If he’s got time to read, what excuse do the rest of us have?
Stephen King (1947 – ), On Writing, p. 147
Hope everyone is enjoying the holidays. I’m taking a short blog break for Christmas and reposting some of my older posts from 2009. Thanks so much to everyone for making my blogging year a happy one.
And…today is Thursday! If you’re hungry, please just pop over to the Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen for a piece of frittata. I’m Riley there.
I’m falling behind on my reading right now, but I have high hopes for after Christmas. (I requested a boatload of books, unsurprisingly.)
It’s true that I get fits of insecurity if I read well-crafted work by authors in my genres. I recall the sense of futility I felt back in high school when looking at the fantasy rack in the bookstore, jam-packed with authors whom I thought were better than I. Now that I’m older and (marginally) wiser, that feeling doesn’t cripple me so much, but it’s still a struggle, sometimes.
So yay for branching out. Maybe I’ll read a YA romance or cozy mystery next… :)
Have a wonderful, Merry Christmas, Elizabeth!
Aaahh yes, great suggestion! I stretch myself to new authors within my genre (mystery/suspense in general), but rarely do I step outside of that anymore. I think this is especially so since becoming a writer. I’m not sure if it is procrastination or a true desire to soak up all that is out there in education. I particularly love the short stories idea. Thank you!
Merry Christmas!
Michele
SouthernCityMysteries
I’m actually reading your “Pretty is as Pretty Dies” right now :)
Great book – I love Myrtle – she’s so much fun!
Elizabeth, I wish much happiness and many blessings to you and your family. Have a wonderful Christmas!
Good tips! I tend to avoid my own genre while writing as well. Think it’s more so I don’t feel incredibly inferrior!
Nerry Christmas, Elizabeth!
Reading is done every night before falling asleep. Always. Other reading time comes and goes (like the 100 pages I read at the Dr’s office today), but no matter what, I read in bed. I try to avoid books close to mine in focus when working on a manuscript, but the genre is so huge that there’s still plenty to choose from.
I agree on the benefits of reading across genres, it really does help to broaden the mind.
Great Post, I often feel the same way about reading when I’m writing…it could have been me writing that post…comparing, worrying. :0) Great tips, thanks for sharing
I’ve noticed writing making a dent in my reading lately–I like writing the story I want to read rather than hoping the book I’m reading will be good. I also tend to over-analyze, which must be what’s making the books not as enjoyable for me. So, I’ve been doing the “broaden your horizons” thing, and trying stuff outside my genre. That way, even if I’m not happy with the book, at least I learned something new, which is never a bad thing.
Loved the Stephen King quote! Reading is a pleasant escape for me, always has been.
I have a hard time finding books that interest me in the genre that I write, if that makes any sense.
Merry Christmas Elizabeth, I hope you and your family are filled with every joy this season!
I’m reading more now that I have dropped a few of the Yahoo!Groups and lists that were taking up too much time. I have a suspense WIP, so I do try to avoid straight suspense novels (mostly because I’m afraid the good ones will make me feel inadequate). :)
Merry Christmas, Elizabeth! I hope you and your family have a great day.
I was going to quote that King statement but you beat me to it! I knew an author once in a yahoo writers group that said she never read ANY books by other authors – said she was afraid of being influenced and/or plagiarizing! Can you believe that? I didn’t tell her what I really thought -just slid out of that group, lol. I read as much as I write – which is a lot. I find it vastly stimulating to see how others craft their books.
Marvin D Wilson
Simon-“Crippling” is a good way of describing it. And no wonder it’s not fun or relaxing for us–too much like work. Luckily, there are a TON of genres out there.
Crystal–Thanks so much! And the same to you.
Ingrid–Merry Christmas to you, too!
Diane–Me too! I usually get irritated with myself when I read a really outstanding mystery. So I’ll move on to something else!
Suzanne–And we never know where it could take us. Maybe we could try it out ourselves at another time.
Michele–It’s hard, isn’t it? I go right to the mystery section, automatically…but have found I can get more inspiration (and a more-relaxing read) by reading another genre.
Jemi– Aren’t you sweet! Hope you enjoy it.
Kristi–Glad I’m not the only one!
Terry–It’s the only way to fall asleep, isn’t it? Sounds like you had a loonnng wait at the doctor!
Marvin–I agree. If I’m not reading, then I’m missing out on a learning opportunity as well as an entertainment one. Plus I’m not getting a good idea of the current market. There’s so much out there to read that finding something stimulating isn’t hard at all…
Lorel–Good point. I’ve read a couple of books lately (for book club) that I didn’t enjoy very much. But I learned a LOT from them!
Tamika–Now that could be a good sign…you know you’re writing better than the books you’re reading!
Merry Christmas to you, too! And a wonderful New Year.
Patricia–That’s a good plan of yours. I’m hoping to do a little bit of reading tonight (post-Santa, of course!) Have a Merry Christmas!
My husband has more time than I do to read – he travels a lot and reads on the plane. I’m thinking I need to force myself to establish a reading time, like early in the mornings before it gets daylight.
Hope your Christmas is wonderful.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Merry Christmas Elizabeth to you and your family! I’m grateful for having your friendship! xoxo
Helen–I think that sounds like a great idea. I’m going to try to do the same thing.
Merry Christmas, Helen!
Carol–And all the best and a Merry Christmas to you, too! I’ve enjoyed meeting you and visiting your blog. :)
Love the quote you ended the post with. My experience with proper writing is exactly two months old, but even when I was struggling to find time to write, I finished a couple of books, including one that required a lot of concentration.
Can’t survive without reading, specially when I am writing.