So Many Books

Bloganuary writing promptWhat books do you want to read?

Like many writers, I’m a reader too. It’s part of my job description. To be a good writer, and to stand out from the crowd, one must read as many different genres as one can. By doing so, you’ll learn what is good writing, and what is bad.

What do I mean by good and bad writing?

Quite simply, as a reader, you’ll learn what style of writing hooks a reader from the start. If a book can draw you in quickly, so you no longer see the words on the page, this is good writing. To take a reader on a journey with the characters you have created is magical. You want them to keep turning the pages to find out what happens next.

Writing that immerses the reader is what all writers hope they are creating. Anything that jars the reader out of the storyline is bad writing. That’s why editing is so important. A badly edited book means a reader might not pick up your next one. If the plot isn’t realistic enough i.e. yes, you can write about magic, dragons, and vampires, who I’m sorry to say (spoiler alert) aren’t real, but what is realistic is the interaction between characters. Are your characters behaving realistically?

(Another spoiler alert) Writers always need to remember readers are human. They understand emotions and have experienced the ups and downs of life. So if your characters don’t react in a way that they might expect them to react then you will lose them and they will close the book.

So as a reader, I’m always on the look out for a story that takes me on a journey where I don’t see the words. The characters are so realistic, I can hear their hearts beating. The atmosphere of the book has me on the edge of my seat, but without the blood and gore of pure horror. I want a book that entertains me, without scaring me to death.

Many times before I became a writer, after reading a book which never lived up to my expectations I felt I could write one better. My journey to publication has been a long one, but it has been worth it. If you would like to experience reading one of my books, and see if you think I take my own advice, and run with it, here’s the links to my books.