When I'd just started writing seriously again (around spring 2006), I had this idea that if I read published books while I wrote, their style would somehow leech into my own writing. I also had a much more fragile ego, so I thought reading a great book would make me all depressed.
Then I finished my first book and went in search of information on how I might get it published. (Ah, the greenie days...bright-eyed, hopeful, and so very naive. Good times.) I read a lot of blogs and websites and noticed an excellent piece of advice—know your genre.
I felt a little sheepish because I'd spent a lot of time writing YA, but I hadn't read much in the year and a half it took me to write my first book. I'd always enjoyed reading, but college had replaced my previous "fun" reads with books about semantics and sociolinguistics. I was behind—I really didn't have a good idea of what was out there.
So I started reading. I picked up the books people were talking about, the ones they weren't, and everything in between. I still have a mile-long reading list (which I plan on getting to in a big way once my WIP is done next week), but I feel much more confident about my knowledge of YA.
And guess what happened? Reading my genre made me a better writer. I haven't accidentally stolen ideas or adopted someone else's style, but I've learned how to make my own cleaner and a little bit different from what's out there. I know where I fit on "the shelf," so to speak, and that there's room for me if I can get the right people's attention.
I know it's hard to read and write at the same time, that one often takes over the other, but I highly recommend taking little breaks from your WIPs to pick up a book in your genre and see what's out there. (I'm currently enjoying The Graveyard Book.) You need to know, see for your own eyes, what's selling and what's not. And you better make sure you actually like the genre you're writing in, because you're probably going to be there a while when you do make it. And if none of that is incentive enough, consider it research on which authors would be the best fits to blurb your book;P
I have to agree. I think reading other good writers in your genre shows what works and doesn't work. If you pick up a book and think 'oh god, this style makes me want to gag,' then you can make sure not to make the same mistakes in your own writing. Plus, without accidentally borrowing ideas, you can see if you have accidentally fallen into a tired plot that needs some tweaking to be revitalized.
ReplyDeleteExactly, Dominique! I once read three YA's in a row with red-headed protagonists. (Blonds seem to get the shaft, taking on the brat roll still, sigh.) Then there was a run of "copper-haired" love interests. Also the "stick thin" bff. Funny how we inadvertently fall into patterns.
ReplyDeleteI read The Graveyard Book on Sunday and I thought it was amazing. It was so well written I almost didn't feel like I was reading it - more like absorbing it by osmosis.
ReplyDeleteI find that I need to read when my writing gets stuck. It enthuses me, inspires me and educates me as well as entertains me. And now I can claim that I'm doing important research for my writing every time I pick up a book. It's a win/win situation.
Amen, sister. :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. SQUEE!!!!! (I'm still grinning)
I totally agree! Like I could stop reading if I tried. You have to know I always have some book I'm reading. Some of the ones I've read lately, though, have really helped me with my writing (the good ones and the bad).
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you posted this today. I think I write better when I'm also reading. And lately I haven't been reading any books. So today I went to the teen section and checked out three new releases. Yea! I'm excited. It is not only educating, but such a good way to relax and enjoy. I lately got so caught up with writing a book that I hadn't made time to enjoy a book.
ReplyDeleteI think the forces are sending me signs to get back into reading. Alas, time is very short...
ReplyDeleteHey! Just letting you know that there's a little something-something for you over at my blog! :)
ReplyDeletehttp://astheplotthickens.blogspot.com/2009/04/woohoo-again.html
I have to read while I write. For all the reasons you mentioned, and because reading good stories inspires and motivates me to write my own (reading bad ones, not so much).
ReplyDeleteAnd I always find that whatever I'm reading tends to seep into my writing somehow. It's good, but potentially dangerous. It forces me to be careful about what I'm reading and when.
Excellent advice, thank you! Now to just put it into action...
ReplyDeletei don't like to read asian fantasy (the few that is out there) while i wrote my debut. in fact, to this day, i still have a couple on my shelf i have yet to read--afraid it'd influence or discourage me. other books that are not so closely related, i'm not as leery of. =) great post, natalie! also the dissertation on english language. very difficult to learn indeed!
ReplyDeleteOh yeah. I think you've got to read while you're writing; those people who write in genres that they don't even LIKE to read completely foozle me.
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ReplyDeleteI think it's important to read too. I'm almost always reading a book at some point during the day. I have them stashed all over the house. I'm happy to say most of the time reading them is encouraging. It makes me realize that they're nothing extraordinary about a lot of them. I've read a ton of unpublished authors that were just as good or better. But there is the occasional intimidating book that makes me feel like I'm never going to get it right.
ReplyDeleteThis happened to me too. I went through a period where I stopped reading fiction very much any more. In my case, it wasn't a conscious decision, so much as a time crunch. I read a lot of non-fiction (a LOT of non-fiction) but forgot to read for pure pleasure.
ReplyDeleteFor a while, when I was really struggling with internalizing the rules of writing, I wasn't even *capable* of reading for pleasure. I would start critiquing the number of adverbs in the chapter. Ugh.
Fortunately that passed. I am consciously trying to read more fiction -- my own favored genres, but other genres as well.
Everything in this post is RIGHT ON!
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