I have a new routine. I wake up, grab a cup of coffee, eat a bowl of cereal, sign into blogger, and stare at the screen. I've been doing this since my last post. This time, I thought I'd write something. Seemed like the thing to do since I'm already signed in and everything.
So, I was wondering how many of you actually read the genre in which you are trying to write? Sounds like a crazy question doesn't it? Like come on, of course I'm reading YA. I write YA. Hello. But you'd be surprised at the amount of writer's who don't read within their writing genre. And it's way important. Even more important that writing sometimes. Well not really. But almost.
But all that reading pulls away from writing time. True, but without it, how can you know what's going on in your genre? It's all part of research, and well, (whispers) entertainment. Reading happens to be one of those things that keeps me up too late at night, turning pages, hoping time will just stand still so I can get to the end already. Doesn't happen. I wake up sleepy, stumbling for the coffee pot, mumbling silent little profanities at characters who kept me up too late. But its so necessary. And I get to tell my mother I was up late "working" when she calls the next day. It's a win win. Hey, nobody needs to know I was reading WOLFSBANE until 3 a.m. Let's just make that our little secret. How about you? Are you reading enough material? Are you sleepy. Were you working late last night too? ;)
Funny you post on this topic. I just wrote a post on it this morning, reading and writing. I read mostly in the genre I write, YA Fantasy, but I read other genres as well. My problem is reading and writing is difficult for me. I either read a lot, or I'm writing my next book.
ReplyDeleteI tend to read in spurts, and must confess I don't always read in the genre I write. I suppose it's because I worry about plagiarizing.
ReplyDeleteAs Miranda said above, I either write or read, rarely both at the same time (excpet for my CP's)
I'm almost always writing and reading . . . my reading pace has slacked a bit recently, but I have trouble picturing myself without a book open somewhere. :P I love reading within my genre, too (which is mostly SF).
ReplyDeleteI can almost guarantee that not a second of that reading is wasted writing time. It's a cumulative thing, I think.
ReplyDeleteI do read in the genre I write, but not 100%. I love YA, middle grade, horror, fantasy--basically anything! I think broad reading tastes translates to broad writing abilities and understanding. At least I hope so! :-)
I read a lot, cross genres. lately I have been on a time travel kick, mostly due to a a ms I am critiquing. But do have a stack of YA books just waiting for me. Now if I can just find the time to get them all in.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, but I am writing YA because I couldn't get enough of reading YA. So, of course I still read YA, among other genres. :) How many times do you think I can squeeze YA into this comment? YA.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Rachel's comment. I was a fiend about reading YA, so I tried writing it. Both are amazingly fun.
ReplyDeleteI've also blanked when I needed to write blog posts. It sucks. I have this weakness where I struggle to write if I don't have a topic.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten better with time, but sometimes it creeps up on me.
As for your question, I read widely, although I haven't gotten to my genre in a while, because I got tired of it. :-/
I've found sometimes the best blog posts come from nothing to say. ;)
ReplyDeleteI read everything. Kid lit cuz I write it, and love it too.... but I can devour a good adult book in a day or two. ANd make it a point to!