The Australian Pocket Oxford Dictionary defines 'bookworm' as 'consuming maggot, great reader'. I choose to apply the second definition to myself. Over the last few months I have read piles of books. The genres range from contemporary, thrillers, suspense, crime, paranormal, horrow, sci-fi to erotic fiction. At first guilt set in. Was all this reading a form of procrastination? Was I neglecting my writing? No. Absolutely not. I came to the conclusion that I was doing research - to become a better writer! I made a point of being aware of the various styles of writing used by the authors. The way they employed the use of their craft and what made their novels popular.
Settings - extraordinary worlds (supernatural, paranormal and sci-fi) were made real and believable by the successful use of conflict and resolution, descriptions, emotions, identifying in some way to the characters; their hardships, their hopes and their dreams. I was cheering for the good guys to defeat those darker elements.
Point of View - it was interesting for me to take note of how POV was used in the various novels:-
* One POV throughout the novel.
* One POV with some chapters past tense and some present tense.
* One main POV combined with other chapters focusing on
different POV's.
* Two POV's in same chapter. (Something I wouldn't consider
doing but was pleasantly surprised how the author pulled it off.)
Balance - I found a good balance when reading the intense novels. The suspence and 'thriller' aspect was there, but the right ingredients of humour and sometimes even romance topped it off nicely for me.
I've been enjoying my role as a Bookworm. Reading as a writer. Researching what makes a publishable novel. Learning about various styles and how to piece together a successful plot. Being aware of the structure of a story.
Reading is a great way to relax and escape. Reading also helps us to become better writers!
Keep writing.... and reading.
Great post, Diane. I think writers definitely need to read a wide variety of books - it's a good way to absorb different styles and genres.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rosemary. Honestly, I am learning so much now. Always room for improvement, and I am determined to become a better writer. x
DeleteI totally agree, Diane. I managed to get through quite a lot of books last year but I seem to be struggling at the moment. You've given me the nudge to try harder.
ReplyDeleteHi Dream it, thanks for leaving a comment. Always happy to nudge you in the right direction. ;-)
DeleteI often find myself resisting the need to invest adequate time reading genres and styles I don't crave, but the investment definitely pays off in the long run. It's educational if nothing else.
ReplyDeleteSpot on Jeff :-)
DeleteYou are spot on. I wish I read more often, you do learn so much about the craft?
ReplyDeleteHello Maria - yeah, I used to think reading was keeping me away from my writing. I really don't think that anymore. It's been a real learning curve reading as a writer. x
DeleteI have been doing exactly the same Diane and have read about 15 books since Christmas. I find I am studying the POVs and how many writers swap POVs from one chapter to another. I am also comparing 'lightweight chic lit' stuff with more serious writing and as I am appreciating 'good' writing more, I'm hoping that some of this will rub off into my own writing. All I can say is that my fellow writers at my writers' group tell me I am much improved. So something's working.
ReplyDeleteHello Maggie May. That's really good news. We can learn so much from others. Thanks for your comment :-)
DeleteI so agree. You have to read if you want to improve as a writer. I've been trying to keep a spreadsheet this year, so I can list all the books I read to make sure I read a good variety.
ReplyDeleteX
Hi Suzanne. I've been keeping a list too. I actually did a fair bit of writing yesterday which made me happy. I'm feeling like all this reading I'm doing is having a positive effect on me. x
DeleteHi Diane - I agree that to be a better writer you have to be a reader too. Great post.
ReplyDeleteI just tagged you in the Lucky 7 Challenge! Details on my blog.
Janice xx
Hello Janice - thank you. I will go and check out that Lucky 7 Challenge - thanks for that too x
DeleteI couldn't agree more! I love to read and it's definitely helped make me a better writer.
ReplyDeleteHi Talli - coming from you that means a lot. Congrats on your successes. Thank you for leaving a comment. :-)
DeleteYeah, whenever I read now I feel like I'm studying. Not that I don't enjoy my books, but I know the more I read, the better I'll write!
ReplyDeleteWelcome to my blog Charlie and thanks for leaving a comment. I agree with you.. fun kind of research isn't it? :-)
DeleteI agree, reading other writer's books is never a waste of time. I've learnt so much from reading various genres of books.
ReplyDeleteHi Debs - thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I'm also enjoying how reading has been inspiring me to write and experiment a bit more with points of view and genres. I agree it is a great way to learn more. x
DeleteReading most definitely isn't a waste of time for a writer!
ReplyDeleteHere! Here! Thank you Patsy x
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