My current wip, and only, is a futuristic paranormal
and I’m having a great time writing it, mostly. You see it has become increasingly
clear that now that I’m writing seriously, as opposed to casually, I’ve become unable
to read my beloved authors without having their voice throw me off my
game. Now I will confess I’ve made one
exception. I managed to finish one of
Rebecca Z’s latest, but full disclosure I am a huge fan girl, plus she’s a
member of our local RWA chapter (score!) and I think it’s in our by-laws or
something *grin*. But I digress. My point, and I do have one, is that this has
been a huge adjustment for me. Because… I’m an addict, a book addict. Always have been, always will be.
“Hi, my name
is Deb and it’s been 53 days since my last book. I’m doing well, but some days,
well let’s just say, it’s not pretty. Even the dog leaves me alone.”
In the good old days, about four months ago, as soon
as I had finished one novel, I’m on to the next and the next. It was a feeding
frenzy. And if I found a new author and she had any type of backlist, watch out.
My family ends up eating pizza and frozen
dinners for days and the laundry piles up. Kinda like now, only different. But
that’s how it is with me. Or was. I couldn’t stop reading. Not until I decided to finally listen to the
inner voice which said, “Yes you can.” Now I’ve had to rewire my brain, training
myself to be patient and delay that need for instant gratification *wink* when
a new Kresley Cole novel comes out.
Now like many of you, I’m guessing here, but think
I’m pretty close to the mark. I think many of you, ok me, wants to be like
Nora. Prolific, successful and so damn good! Isn’t she like the demi-goddess of
art and literature? No? Well she should be. But as I’m now a self-proclaimed ‘serious’
writer, I must follow my heart and my muse. Nora’s latest releases are as we
speak languishing in the nether world otherwise known as eBook purgatory. Sssh,
don’t tell her. I think by now I must have 20, okay closer to 30, books waiting
to be accessed nightly on my Kindle only to be forsaken for my wip. Don’t get me wrong though, I am loving this
new journey I’ve chosen. My people, I’ve found my people! However, no one
warned me about the downside. I’ve been jonesing for a while now and get my
thrills by reading book descriptions at Amazon and Goodreads. It’s been
dangerous though. By feeding my addiction in this roundabout way, I’ve found a
whole new group of authors and great books. Little gems twinkling brightly at
me “read me, read me.” Some days I feel like a Valkyrie (or is it a Harpy?)
entranced by the winking glare of yet another book diamond. Am I being a bit
melodramatic here? Maybe. But as much as I experience great satisfaction (so
cool) from writing a scene or two, or three, I miss my book boyfriends! Doesn’t
matter that it’s a self-imposed hiatus either, I’m just--sad.
So I’ve decided on a new incentive program. This may
work for you or maybe everyone else has already figured it out, and I’m just
late to dinner. If so, I’ll bring the wine next time.
MY SOLUTION: Alright, here it is – write 20k, read a
book, but just one. Write another 20k, read one book, etc. I promise. Also, I
must do it without guilt or worry that it’s going to affect my voice. Solution
found, right? But that leads to an even
bigger problem—WHICH ONE? Will it be Nora, or Rebecca? Gena or Cherry? Kresley
or Larissa? J.T. or J.R or ahhh. Whom I kidding? How do I chose between all my
favorites? In the old days, I’d just
read them in the order the books were released. But now I have a backlog. I’m
hoping my proposed solution could be just one more incentive for me to finish
my book, right? You know besides getting an agent or a contract.
Okay, so maybe my solution is not realistic. After
all who am I kidding? I start reading one and that will lead to “just one more”
and BAM! I’m back on the sauce. Better that I have a book orgy when my first
draft is done and call it good. Hmm, I like that idea, less of a chance for
cheating. But what do I know, I’m just a newbie. Wait, does a novella count?
Which of your favorite authors do you think you
could hold off reading when they release a new book, say for a week? Or, “No
way Deb, you’re crazy!”
Thanks for reading.
I’d love to hear your comments!
BIO: I am a stay at home
wife and mother, married to the super supportive Master Chief and momma to
the Rooster and BubbaBoy. Two monkeys who keep me on my toes--hourly. We
have a chocolate lab named Bell who follows me around the house begging for
treats. In my previous life, in no particular order, I was a telephone
operator, optometrist assistant, receptionist, executive assistant, ice cream
scooper and bar maid (not a waitress, but an actual maid who cleaned a bar -
very glam). I love coffee and reality TV. The latter reinforces how good a life
I do have.
You can find me on:
- Facebook: www.facebook/debraeliseauthor
- Twitter: Debra_Elise
- Website: Debraelise.com
- Goodreads: Debra Elise
10 comments:
I could not go 53 days without reading! No way! But I know what you mean. My reading has been reduced since I started writing.
However, I try to write every day and read every day. Mostly I read during my lunch break and for only about an hour, but it's enough. I also carry the book with me everywhere because I might just get stuck waiting for someone and have the time to kill.
And road trips? I read better in the car than I can write.
I've never felt reading has changed my voice. If anything, I learn from my reading. I learn how to write BETTER.
I wish you luck in cramming that reading in, however you do it!
Thanks Stacy! It gives me hope that other writers are able to accomplish both!
I read everyday and I write everyday. For me it is not an either or thing. I write when the muse hits me and when I have time to sit at the computer. I am a full time author with one novel published and three more to be released next year. I take the time to read and have never thought it affected my voice. I take books with me and read when riding in the car, and when waiting for appointments. I think writing gives me a way to relax, a way for my muse to calm itself. I have 50 books started in the computer at some level of completion or another, so when my characters begin clambering too much for attention and I can not focus on one book I set them aside and go read. It usually makes things easier when I come back to the computer. I think reading is essential to my creative juices even though what I read is usually not even in the same genre as what I write and my writing style is nothing like my favorite author.
For me, it's not about affecting my voice, it's about getting lost in the book and not wanting to write. But since I've committed to a minimum daily word count before I can sleep (which always turns into more words) I feel OK about reading a little more.
I've been there before, the book diet... Yeah. The good thing is I can usually read a book in a day. Sometimes two. The problem is if I find a series, like when I discovered Kresley Cole. That was like 15 books I read back to back. Then I take a break and buckle down on the word count :)
Awesome head shot! The only way I can read while I'm also writing, without the book throwing my voice off, is to read out of genre. So, if I'm working on paranormal, I'll read contemporary or historical. This seems to work for me.
Welcome to FF&P!
Great article Deb! I also miss the days of being able to cruise through thousands of pages of beautiful words. Going on a mental journey with my new found friends, and enemies with all the emotional baggage.
Now I have to make up my own, but they seem to carve out their own path so it's still fun. I just hate when they get stuck and I have to figure out how to get them moving again.
Deb,
The good news is that first, you'll settle into a rhythm after a while, of writing, reading, re-writing and then more reading.
Second, you already have a writing style of your own, a good one. Other authors' voice may influence yours, but they won't overtake it.
And it sounds as if you have a good idea of work and reward. Now to stick to it, right? I still struggle with that - a new book by a favorite author is like crack!
best,
Cathryn Cade
http://www.cathryncade.com
Like you, now that I am making my writing a priority I have less time to read. However, I always have a book with me and I read during my lunch period at my day job - and any other chance that I get. I don't have a problem with reading impacting my voice, just my time!
Good luck with finding a way to include reading in your schedule and welcome to FF&P!
Thanks for all the great comments! I cant imagine going much longer without reading one of my favorite authors. LOL Cathryn I so agree, crack is the perfect analogy :)
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