Genre Reading While Genre Writing
Dame Jenna has posted today on whether to read in the genre you’re writing in. I actually end up not reading in whatever genre I’m writing in, mostly because to do so bores and overwhelms me. I need other genres to balance out whatever I’m writing. If I’m working on, say, young adult, I want to be reading nonfiction. If I’m writing UF, I tend to read military history. I usually read fiction during Selkie book challenges or in-between novels. It’s just how I’m wired.
I do agree with Dame Jenna on one point: I’m not afraid I’ll lose my “voice” or be influenced. I couldn’t lose my voice if I tried. I’m far enough along on the road to know that by now. And as for “stealing ideas”…well, anyone who has any concept of just how much physical work it is to write 70-100K words will laugh at that. During those thousands of words, ideas mutate as they pass through you. They have to.
Anyway. It’s Monday, and I’ve got serious wordcount to get out while the house is quiet. I’m about to submerge myself in a dangerous labyrinth of double-dealing and danger. I’m also about to throw my heroine to the sharks and see if she survives. It’s what I do.
See you on the flip side.
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Tags: deadline dames, pennyworth advice
January 11th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
I have heard so many different takes on this, and it seems practically everyone has their own take on it. For me, I write what I like to read, so I tend to keep reading it (at least for now). The sub-genres within the larger genres, though, may vary.
January 12th, 2010 at 10:15 am
I think reading the genre I’m writing keeps me in the mood. Even though I might not be writing at that moment I’m still reading UF so my mind is always in that world.
Lilith, Just an FYI, I posted a review of Betrayals on my blog and thought it only right that I let you know. Its all positive, but if you would like to read it you can find it here:
http://annetteallison.blogspot.com/
I hope it was okay to put this here…if not please delete.