Wednesday, February 1, 2017

IWSG: Reading as a Writer


 
            Time for another posting with the Insecure Writer’s Support Group, where writers can share their insecurities and encourage one another. IWSG was founded by Alex J. Cavanaugh and we share our posts the first Wednesday of the month. The IWSG poses a question for us to answer in our monthly posts. Here is the question for February:
How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?
            Even though time has escaped me more often than not in the last few years, I will always love reading. I was the 10-year-old who huddled up next to a night light, past my bedtime, in order to read “just one more chapter”. Since then, I could not tell you how many times I’ve used that same line in the middle of the night. When I find a good book, I like to escape in the simple pleasure of reading. I could almost turn this question around to ask: How has reading shaped my experience as a writer? Reading is part of my motivation because I would love to be able to write one of those books people can escape into. My insecurity also stems from that, because I feel incapable of writing such a book. One thing that I will say in answer to this month’s question is that I sometimes use reading as a tool. I went through a dry spell with reading for a couple years; I just could not find a book worth diving into. As I got more involved with blogging and writing fiction, I got back into reading again. Reading a variety of authors and genres is an excellent form of research. It is helpful to see how others write and the techniques they use. Recently, I have also found a new addiction in audiobooks. Listening to a book allows you to enter a story through a different sense and it is a convenient way to “read” while driving, which is sometimes the only time I get to myself. I was stuck on descriptive details when I was writing my fantasy story until I listened to The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks for a few minutes. Of course, I still enjoy the moments of quiet when I can just sit and read, and if writing inspiration comes, I welcome it gladly!

17 comments:

  1. I haven't quite gotten into audio books. I tend to either fall asleep or can't stay concentrated on the story line. Glad it works for you :)

    betty

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    1. Betty, it took me a while to find some good ones. As long as the narrator uses inflection in his/her tone or has a British accent, I can usually stay intrigued enough :)

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  2. I was that ten year old too :-) I've listed to a few audiobooks lately. Not the same as reading them, but a great way to experience books while working on other things.

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    1. Ellen, I agree that reading is still the more ideal way to experience a book, but audiobooks have definitely been pleasant road trip companions for me and my friends the past few years.

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  3. Trust Brooks to come to your rescue! (And I knew you were cool for a reason.)
    You will write that good, but you won't see it as well because it will be yours and in your style. But it will still be good. Just keep writing.

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    1. Alex, I thought you might be happy to hear I finally started on the Shannara series :) I don't know why it took me so long!

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  4. I recall asking for a night light, that way I could sneak out of bed to read after bedtime. :)

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    1. Loni, isn't that what night lights are for? ;)

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  5. I always find it useful to see how others construct a story. Even if I don't care for a book, it can help me decide what I don't want to do with my own work. I've never used audiobooks, though—my mind wanders too much.

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    1. M.J., like you, I am finding the writing of others more and more useful. Whether I like the story or not, it still helps me grow in my own writing.

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  6. I still stay up reading "one more chapter". Usually until 2 AM (4 AM...).

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    1. Liz, I have been there in reading and writing, in fact, it's 2AM now, lol. But, in defense of my sleep, I am off tomorrow :)

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  7. Great post. I think most writers are spurred on and inspired by reading a great book. And as we learn about writing techniques we do look for them in published books. Do need to remember to switch off and enjoy the story sometimes, though!

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  8. I have found when I read to learn I don't enjoy it as much and I somewhat recent that on the otherhand I am far less critical if I am reading for pure pleasure. go figure.
    Happy IWSG Day!
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  9. Audiobooks are great for long driving trips, but it's been years since I've listened to one. With satellite radio in my van I find so much to listen to that I don't even think of getting the books on CD or for that matter listen to much music on CD. My books-to-read stacks keep growing and I'm not reading them like I'd planned on doing.

    It is wonderful though to get into a book to the extent where it's so hard to put it down and I have to keep reading "just one more chapter".

    Arlee Bird
    Tossing It Out

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  10. I have to say, I just haven't been able to get into audiobooks. I guess it's because I have a voice narrating in my head as I read, so the sound of an actor's voice instead jars me every time. :-/

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  11. I show I don't tell. For instance sharing experiences and describing the body language instead of telling the reader what to think will evoke a much more powerful reaction.

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