I am LATE with my #IWSG post! I am JET-LAGGED! I have just discovered I can’t do everything. After a month of being a traveler, I’m dazed and in culture shock and saying, “I can’t launch a book and do a blog hop and …. anything else while I’m on the road.” My muse is saying, “Get over it already!”
“Shut up, muse!”
“I will once you get on with the business at hand.”
“Fine! So here it is.”
Join Us NowThe awesome co-hosts for the October 2 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!
The awesome co-hosts for the October 2 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren, Mary Aalgaard, Madeline Mora-Summonte, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!
The Optional Question this month is this: It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?
My answer to the question: Well, first of all, I can’t imagine not reading. Whether I write or don’t write. It’s what inspires me, teaches me, and has shaped my life since I can remember.
However, to take this question into a slight detour, I read widely. That includes, almost everything except erotica (Anais Nin being the exception). I think it’s important to draw from all genres and different kinds of writers.
When I first started writing to publish, I went to hear Laurie Halse Anderson speak, and she said quite frankly, that she never read other YA writers. That made sense to me, so unless a friend who writes YA or MG asks me read, I avoid reading in those genres. I’d rather strike out on my own. I also don’t go to books that give me synonyms for words; I want to avoid choosing what thousands of other writers are choosing. Of course, I’ve now offended someone, so I’m sorry (but keep in mind I’m also jet-lagged and cranky… compassion or understand, appreciated), but we must all find our own way in this writing business, and I’m not one to say how. I only know what I do.
I read. I write. I cry a lot. Then I stomp around muttering to myself. I write some more, and when I’m totally out of steam AKA ideas, I read some more. Back to the original question…I’d never presume to write without being a reader.
There’s a new WEP coming. I love this theme. It’s so “juicy” with possibilities for the macabre. Perfect for this Halloween month. Sign up and submit your story. It will be fun to read what you come up with.
If you want to see what the August winner came up with for that challenge, Here’s your chance.
Quote of the month: “You were born to be an original. Don’t die a copy.” John Mason, national best-selling author, noted speaker
Andrew hawkins says
Nice content really appreciate the writer for his content
Thank you, Andrew.
Congratulations on your new release, Lee. So thrilled for you. Jet-lag? I totally understand. This last trip, it took me 2 weeks to feel normal again. It was rough. Take your time.
Heather Erickson says
I love the way the books go on the shelf on your email connect page. Completely cool! Kudos to your web designer.
They used to make a subtle sound as they slid, but we changed that (I hated to see it go) when we redid it for more compatibility with mobile devices.
Naughty Netherworld Press released its last erotica book in October. That wasn’t planned, so, unfortunately, the characters in that Universe are now in an eternal cliffhanger because I won’t be going back to it. I was trying to do a NaNoWriMo book to continue the serial and came to the realization that I hate writing NaNoWriMo books and I wasn’t having fun with the Carnal Invasion series anymore. I’m sad about that, but I’m quite pleased to be going back to writing Cthulhu Mythos fiction, which is my real love.
I’m sorry, this comment was supposed to go with your November post. I suck. Please try to forgive me.
I got your comment. No worries.
Books are amazing. Where does the love of writing come from, if not from reading? I can’t imagine one without the other.
My guilty pleasure is reading cookbooks. 🙂
Hope you survived your crazy month with your sanity intact. Love to you. x
Sounds like you need a nap! (Me, too!) I agree. You don’t know what’s good or not if you haven’t read anything. Writers should read.
Like you, I was a reader first and can’t imagine a life without reading. Writing, well, some days there isn’t any but I always end my day with my nose in a book. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I can’t imagine not reading either - and I can’t imagine trying to write without being a reader!
(ps - sorry this is so late - I was sure I’d commented a while back - my computer must have eaten the comment!)
Jet lag can be nasty…hope you get some rest 🙂
Nas says
Welcome back! I always take my laptop with you and travel for 2 months at a time! You could say I’m a digital nomad! So I just get back in the swing of things when I get back. I love it like this!
I am enjoying reading everyone’s thoughts on this topic. I read a lot of books across all genres. I read a lot of MG books, which is my genre. I can understand both sides- reading the genre and not reading the genre. It is important that people do what is right for them.
Hope you are settling in now that your jet lag is going away.
I’m impressed that you managed to do all that while also traveling! My own writing, blogging, and everything else tends to fall by the wayside when we’re on the road. I’ll blame that on being out of contact so much of the time, but it’s also a matter of priorities 🙂 I won’t say if I think mine are good or bad.
No matter how busy or tired, though, I always read before bed.
Hope you had a wonderful time traveling! It does take a bit to get back into the swing of things. As to writing…reading is a bit of a must as far as I’m concerned. And a joy!
Welcome back!
Welcome home!
I think reading is crucial. It doesn’t matter what genre you’re reading, as long as you’re reading 🙂
Hi,
I like your last sentence. I never presumed to write without being a reader. That is exactly my sentiment. Of course, there are some writers that don’t read. I just don’t want to become one of them.
Glad you’re back. The jet lag will be there for a week or so.
Ease slowly back into your routine.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Hi Pat. Yes I’m trying to ease back in. This was not a good time to travel as you must imagine. I didn’t plan a book launch and a trip at the same time deliberately! Wish me luck.
I hope you had a great time travelling. Take a few days rest to harness your energies for this launch. It’s a great book.
I read widely but also inside my own genre. I like to see what others are up to.
Just like writers, readers have to do it their own way. That’s what makes us so interesting, right?
You are one busy young lady and I love what you said about reading. Welcome home, enjoy your new novel.
Glad to be back. The going is great, but returning is, too! Fingers crossed on the book launch, which I’m a tad behind on.
I think you are wise to read outside of your genre! While I read theology and even books on church, I have always made it a habit for it to be only 25% of my total reading.
Diversity in all things! That’s my motto from now on.
Woo Lee, I’ve been worried about you with your travels, your book launch etc etc, but you know the saying - give a busy person a job. You can handle it. The jet lag can be a b)*&^%, but that too shall pass.
Re writing - I’d never presume to write without being a reader, you say, and that says it all.
Welcome back to the world of crazy.
I confess I was worried I could pull off a book launch while moving around a foreign country, but I think I’ve got most of it under control. I wrote my blog posts in some very “interesting” places. Thanks for the concern.
Now I’m trying to stay awake until a decent hour before falling into bed.
Glad to see you arrived back safely. Shake off the jet lag and get ready to launch this book. I’m 33% into the story and it’s a good one. It needs launched properly.
I will sometimes use a thesaurus and not at all insulted that you don’t. Sometimes my brain needs a nudge. Though, I will say- if you’re going to use a thesaurus, only use the words you actually know or look up the ones foreign to you. I have beta read stories where people will grab a word from a list and the nuance is all wrong. Like technically, it works, but it still isn’t a good fit.
Thanks for the comment, Elizabeth and the welcome home. It’s really good to be back and to get down to focusing on this launch properly. Also thanks again for reading NG.
Welcome home.
I hadn’t read much YA when I started writing my series. (Which technically became NA.) Outside of submissions to DLP, I still haven’t read hardly any YA.
Thanks, Diane. Glad to wake up in my own bed for a change. And the weather here is perfect. Travel always makes me appreciate home so much.
Lots of traveling would be enervating. I hope you get rested. Yours seems to be the consensus opinion on this question.
I only needed one nap so far. That and a Tylenol. Now my brain has come back online.
I can’t imagine not reading. I read widely too, including YA and MG books.
I think it makes for more interesting experiences to read widely.
Reading a wide variety of genres sure can open one up indeed.
Recently I’ve been locked onto ghost stories. Must be that time of year!
Late but you made it!
You don’t read your own genre? That’s interesting.
I do read it when a friend asks, but it’s not my main reading choice. Some that I have read is really perfect for teens, but some has had wider appeal. I like those best.
Hi Lee - welcome back … yes returning can be disorienting - but glad you had a good time away … lovely part of the world.
I know I need to read more books - and keep noting them, or ordering them … but actually settling down - troubling thought!! But wish I did … but have loved the ones I have read.
Books - too special! Cheers Hilary
I’ve just started A Bit About Britain Mike’s book. It’s a great read and just as his blog is packed with fascinating history, so is his book. We should all read more, but there’s just so much one can manage, isn’t there?
Thanks for the kind welcome home.
Of course I read. Greedily. And I refuse to be limited by genre or prescribed age group.
My life would be seriously diminished without books - and authors. So, to all you insecure writers, heartfelt thanks.
This is one area where “greedy” is a good word. Authors love to hear that.