Writing Worry #3: I don't read enough
My favorite writing advise comes from Stephen King.
"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot." ― Stephen King
I've already lamented about the difficulties in finding time to write. So what about reading? I spend most of my days reading and decipher scientific publications. Great examples (and not so great ones too) if I want to write scientific publications, not so helpful for learning how to write fiction.
Like many authors, I tend to write what I like to read. When I have spare time I gravitate to horror, romance, fantasy, sci-fi and erotica. So it's no surprise that my writings lean along those genre lines.
That being said, I am painfully aware of how woefully under-read I am. Today I had some time before the climbing gym opened up so I perused the shelves of a local Books A Million (BAM). I'm just starting to recognize some of the authors I've heard interviewed on my favorite podcasts.
I recognize many of the popular authors by name, but I've never actually read a Philip K Dick story and couldn't get through the last Asimov novel I tried to read back in high school. My list of authors I want to read includes: Brandon Sanderson, Tee Morris, Phillipa Ballentine, Michele Lang, Moses Siregar, Mary Robinette Kowal, Naomi Novik, Jared Diamond, Paolo Bacigalupi, Robert J. Sawyer, George R.R. Martin etc.
Goodreads and Amazon wishlists are invaluable for keeping track of books and authors I want to read. Otherwise I would certainly forget them. Not because they didn't make an impact, but because it takes repetition for anything to sink into my brain. Every time I hear a review of a book that sounds interesting or an interview with an interesting author, I try to add their book to my lists.
It is mind-blowing how many books are published. Libraries and bookstores have always been my mental candy shop. Buying a new book was always akin to purchasing a new toy. When I was a lowly grad student borrowing my reading material from the libraries, I dreamed of having a good job that allowed me to buy a new book every month.
Now the challenge isn't affording the next book I want to read but finding the time to read it.
Since the beginning of the year, I've tired to dedicate the half hour before going to be to reading. It's actually made a big difference in the amount of reading I do. Beyond the entertainment I get from reading, I also get a change to see how different authors handle plot, characters, writing styles, etc. When I'm done with a book I try to write a review of it (see the Picky Reader Review section).
I find thinking critically about a book and organizing those thoughts into a written review challenging. It's not that I have any great insights to share, mostly I just talk about what I like and don't like. I know how hard it is for any author, even a great one, to get the kind of readership that will have their publishers clamoring for the next thing they write. So any time I come across a story I like, I figure it's my responsibility to get the word out and increase their exposure in whatever limited way I can.
Half an hour a night isn't much. I might get through a book a month, unless one completely captivates me. Then I'm reading it every chance I get and might finish it within 2 weeks. The other interesting thing I noticed is that anthologies take a lot longer to read than novels. It's so easy to forget the story if I stop mid-stream.
Currently, I am reading The Living Dead, a zombie anthology. I've read a story or two in The Big Book of Bizarro. And I've got a pile of books on my book shelf to read - not counting my lists of books and authors I want to read. Then there is the new JR Ward novel, Lover Reborn, that I've pre-ordered. It should arrive by the end of next week. Her books are like a drug. I've taken entire weekends just to read one of her novel from cover to cover.
With all the great books out there and talented authors creating new ones, there is no way I'd ever come close to reading everything I want and should read. My only hope is that I can learn a little from the ones I do get through and enjoy some great stories.
