Allison Symes's Blog - Posts Tagged "mixing-up-reading"
Fads and Fancies
Do you find you have reading "fixes" you just have to indulge in for a while?
I find I read in cycles. There will be periods when all I will want to read are magazine articles. Other times I will want to read short stories. Then again I will have periods when it is nothing but crime I read and so on.
Equally there are times when nothing but "proper" books will do. Other times you can't prise me away from my Kindle!
Mood of story varies too. There are times I really have to read anything funny. This is particularly true when the news in unremittingly grim. The value of books and stories for escapism should not be under-appreciated or looked down on. Being able to escape for a while I think is good for you.
When I come out from that kind of reading, I tend to go for "nothing but the facts Ma'am" and I catch up with my non-fiction TBR pile.
There is ALWAYS a TBR pile. (I've got one on the Kindle too. The advantage with that one is it can't topple over!).
So what do I fancy reading later tonight then? Hmm... decisions, decisions (but such nice ones to make!).
I find I read in cycles. There will be periods when all I will want to read are magazine articles. Other times I will want to read short stories. Then again I will have periods when it is nothing but crime I read and so on.
Equally there are times when nothing but "proper" books will do. Other times you can't prise me away from my Kindle!
Mood of story varies too. There are times I really have to read anything funny. This is particularly true when the news in unremittingly grim. The value of books and stories for escapism should not be under-appreciated or looked down on. Being able to escape for a while I think is good for you.
When I come out from that kind of reading, I tend to go for "nothing but the facts Ma'am" and I catch up with my non-fiction TBR pile.
There is ALWAYS a TBR pile. (I've got one on the Kindle too. The advantage with that one is it can't topple over!).
So what do I fancy reading later tonight then? Hmm... decisions, decisions (but such nice ones to make!).
Mixing Up What You Read
I like to mix up what I read in several ways.
1. I mix up genre. I tend to read a crime book or two, then must move on to, say, fantasy for a book or two, before moving on again.
2. I mix up how I read. I have a "glut" of reading on the Kindle followed by a "glut" of reading printed books, then magazines etc. (The one thing I've not really "got" on the Kindle are e-magazines but I suspect I'll get around to them eventually).
3. I mix up reading novels, short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction. So for a while I will only read novels, then move on to short story collections for a while, then have a non-fiction feast etc.
4. I switch between books and magazines. I do love a good magazine.
All of this means I'm never short of something to read!
I think mixing things up is good for my old brain and I like to ensure I don't neglect any type of reading material I like. It would be too easy to "just" read books or magazines and neglect the other.
What would I wish for though?
More time to read, definitely.
1. I mix up genre. I tend to read a crime book or two, then must move on to, say, fantasy for a book or two, before moving on again.
2. I mix up how I read. I have a "glut" of reading on the Kindle followed by a "glut" of reading printed books, then magazines etc. (The one thing I've not really "got" on the Kindle are e-magazines but I suspect I'll get around to them eventually).
3. I mix up reading novels, short stories, flash fiction, non-fiction. So for a while I will only read novels, then move on to short story collections for a while, then have a non-fiction feast etc.
4. I switch between books and magazines. I do love a good magazine.
All of this means I'm never short of something to read!
I think mixing things up is good for my old brain and I like to ensure I don't neglect any type of reading material I like. It would be too easy to "just" read books or magazines and neglect the other.
What would I wish for though?
More time to read, definitely.
Choosing What to Read Next
How do you choose what to read next?
If I'm reading a series, fine - problem solved. I carry on until I finish said series. But what about when I reach that point?
I often don't feel like reading another series immediately, This is where stand-alone books come into their own, of course.
I've mentioned before a lot hinges on my mood when reading. If I've just finished reading a dark novel, I'll inevitably got for something lighter just to balance things up a bit.
If I've been reading lots of novels, I'll switch to short story and flash fiction collections for while.
If I've been reading books, I'll switch to magazine reading for a time too.
The good thing with all of this?
I'm never going to run out of good things to read - and neither are you!
If I'm reading a series, fine - problem solved. I carry on until I finish said series. But what about when I reach that point?
I often don't feel like reading another series immediately, This is where stand-alone books come into their own, of course.
I've mentioned before a lot hinges on my mood when reading. If I've just finished reading a dark novel, I'll inevitably got for something lighter just to balance things up a bit.
If I've been reading lots of novels, I'll switch to short story and flash fiction collections for while.
If I've been reading books, I'll switch to magazine reading for a time too.
The good thing with all of this?
I'm never going to run out of good things to read - and neither are you!
Mixing Up Your Reading
lI like to mix up my reading in different ways.
Firstly, I mix up fiction and non-fiction.
Secondly, I mix up reading novels and short stories/flash fiction anthologies.
Thirdly, I mix up reading in paperback/on Kindle.
Fourthly, I watch stories (via film) and listen to them (via radio, audio books).
But the important thing is getting the reading in and doing so regularly. What I love to read directly inspires what I write
Firstly, I mix up fiction and non-fiction.
Secondly, I mix up reading novels and short stories/flash fiction anthologies.
Thirdly, I mix up reading in paperback/on Kindle.
Fourthly, I watch stories (via film) and listen to them (via radio, audio books).
But the important thing is getting the reading in and doing so regularly. What I love to read directly inspires what I write
Read!
R = Read widely and well - in and out of your genre, why limit your choices?
E = Ebooks, audio books, the good old paperback - love them all!
A = Adult fiction, YA fiction, classics, contemporary - have a good mix.
D = Drag out old favourites, buy new ones, visit your library - have a fabulous reading diet!
E = Ebooks, audio books, the good old paperback - love them all!
A = Adult fiction, YA fiction, classics, contemporary - have a good mix.
D = Drag out old favourites, buy new ones, visit your library - have a fabulous reading diet!
Anthologies
I’ve been fortunate to be published in many anthologies including the most recent from Bridge House Publishing (Evergreen - an Anthology). It is great fun to write for these and it’s a privilege and pleasure when your story is selected.
I read anthologies too, regardless of whether my work is included or not, because I’m a firm believer in supporting the market I want to be in!
Also, I want to mix up the kind of things I read. I read novels, novellas, flash, short stories, collections of the latter two categories, as well as magazines and the like. I want a good and varied reading “diet”.
Anthologies are a great way to find authors new to you and many either support charities or are produced by independent publishers who give more authors a voice. For many it is their way into being published at all. It was for me.
I also like varied moods in my stories (whether I read or write them) and in anthologies, you get this in one book so that’s another reason to love them.
You can also work out the kind of writing style and mood you prefer by reading these. I tend to like a lighter touch. I’ve described my own collections as “mixed assortments” and this can apply to most anthologies too.
Even when on a single theme, you can be amazed at what the contributing authors have come up with for it. I’ve done this myself.
For the Waterloo Arts Festival Writing Competition a while back, I had to write to a set word count on a set theme. Fifteen winners (including me) wrote to those stipulations but the way all of the authors took the topic was amazing.
I often use anthologies to read in between reading novels to make sure I do mix up my reading and to help me make up my mind which genre of novel I will read next.
I read anthologies too, regardless of whether my work is included or not, because I’m a firm believer in supporting the market I want to be in!
Also, I want to mix up the kind of things I read. I read novels, novellas, flash, short stories, collections of the latter two categories, as well as magazines and the like. I want a good and varied reading “diet”.
Anthologies are a great way to find authors new to you and many either support charities or are produced by independent publishers who give more authors a voice. For many it is their way into being published at all. It was for me.
I also like varied moods in my stories (whether I read or write them) and in anthologies, you get this in one book so that’s another reason to love them.
You can also work out the kind of writing style and mood you prefer by reading these. I tend to like a lighter touch. I’ve described my own collections as “mixed assortments” and this can apply to most anthologies too.
Even when on a single theme, you can be amazed at what the contributing authors have come up with for it. I’ve done this myself.
For the Waterloo Arts Festival Writing Competition a while back, I had to write to a set word count on a set theme. Fifteen winners (including me) wrote to those stipulations but the way all of the authors took the topic was amazing.
I often use anthologies to read in between reading novels to make sure I do mix up my reading and to help me make up my mind which genre of novel I will read next.
Balancing Writing and Reading
I would be most surprised if any author doesn’t find it tricky, at least sometimes, to balance their writing and reading lives. I know I do.
One way I get around this issue to ensure I do read at lunchtimes - usually a magazine - but it all counts! I can sometimes be far too tired at bedtime to read then.
I do sometimes find if I have had an intense period of writing, I will read less. Or I will read something totally different to what I’ve been working on.
So if I’ve been writing a lot of fiction, I will crack on with my non-fiction reading. If I fancy fiction but have been writing lots of short stories and /or flash, I will read a novel.
As well as being a good idea anyway, because you get to read more, mixing up the types of reading I do helps here. It means I am nearly always reading something, And that is always a good idea!
One way I get around this issue to ensure I do read at lunchtimes - usually a magazine - but it all counts! I can sometimes be far too tired at bedtime to read then.
I do sometimes find if I have had an intense period of writing, I will read less. Or I will read something totally different to what I’ve been working on.
So if I’ve been writing a lot of fiction, I will crack on with my non-fiction reading. If I fancy fiction but have been writing lots of short stories and /or flash, I will read a novel.
As well as being a good idea anyway, because you get to read more, mixing up the types of reading I do helps here. It means I am nearly always reading something, And that is always a good idea!
