You guessed right, it’s the first Wednesday of the
month, time for our monthly IWSG (Insecure Writers Support Group) post. Check out the IWSG Website for wonderful tips.
This amazing online group was started by Ninja Captain
Alex J Cavanaugh (author of the Amazon
Bestsellers: CassaStar, CassaStorm, CassaFire and Dragon of the Stars), because
he believes that writers should have a place where they can talk about their
writing insecurities, anxieties, worries, clear their doubts and learn from
other writers. To let the writers let off a whole lot of writing steam, he
chose the first Wednesday of every month. Trust me when I say this, we all feel
a couple of kilos lighting after the ISWG post as so much of our frustration
and anxiety is eliminated.
And to make things easier for us, this adorable angel,
announced that every IWSG post will have a question which members can either
answer in their post or can even make it the topic of their post. Blessed are
we writers to have such an angel in our writing lives.
The February 1 question is: How has being a writer changed your
experience as a reader?
If I have to answer this question
honestly, I would say that being a writer has ruined my reading experience (this
has also a lot to do with the book reviews I do for 2 newspapers). And the more
I’m writing the more fussy I’m getting as a reader. Earlier I would read and just
enjoy the story. Nowadays, I analyze it so much mentally, trying to see how I
would have tackled it if it had been my story. Infact every aspect of the book
is scrutinized by me: the plot points, character arcs, the sentence structure,
how each chapter ends, how the scenes are described etc.
I feel I’m using my reading as a writing
exercise: how to write better. I’m constantly trying to learn from other
writers: what to do and what not to do in a story. Sometimes, I feel I’m unable
to read for the sheer joy of reading books. Nowadays I’m just not able to get
completely involved into a story. I just hope this is a temporary phase and I
get back to my earlier voracious reading without overthinking.
I’m looking forward to reading all your
posts to see how being a writer has changed your experience as a reader.
This angel is looking forward to getting his wings!
ReplyDeleteI think that happens to a lot of us. We can't get as lost in a story. Since you are reading to review, I think once you stop doing that you will be able to enjoy more.
Sorry you have lost the enjoyment of reading. I hope you get it back, at least for the books you aren't reviewing.
ReplyDeleteI still love reading, and I'm still able to lose myself in the story at least somewhat. Not the way I was able to as a kid, but enough that sometimes when I look up from the pages, I forget where I am. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's how I feel reading so many submissions. I guess that's why when a great one comes along, it really hits me.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Having a focus and education in writing definitely makes me look at literature for its mechanics and for how it can be improved, but, for the most part, I don't think it ruins my experience. I hope you'll regain your love of reading soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree. My experience now is that if I'm not literally swept off my feet in the few first pages, I'm going to pass. It does help to analyze those stories on what they did wrong, so you can avoid the same mistakes.
ReplyDeleteIt is a lot harder to enjoy the experience of reading now. *sigh* I wish it wasn't so.
ReplyDeleteI find if I read a genre I would NEVER write is helpful in not fussing over mistakes in books. Learning from other authors is always a good thing.
ReplyDeleteDanger, Love, and Mystery
I read more analitically too, but I still get carried away with characters and plots!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same. I wish I could just enjoy it and not take it apart.
ReplyDeleteEvery post I've read today that answered the question (so far) has said something similar. Getting a peak behind the curtain does kill some of the magic, doesn't it?
ReplyDelete@mirymom1 from
Balancing Act
I'm sure critical reading only helps our writing, but we need to be reading really well-crafted books for that. We all want to write those books, don't we?
ReplyDeleteSometimes I have to force myself to turn off that writing editor and just let the story unfold. Lately I've been buying books off the best seller lists because I know I will never leave a review, so I feel more free to just let the story reveal itself, even through some very bad writing habits.
ReplyDeleteEver since I started writing, I have become more sel;ective in reading as time is of essence and hence do not like reading things that are a waste of time, a difficult choice:)
ReplyDeleteSuch a shame you don't enjoy reading as much. I'm lucky. I can switch off mostly and just delve in - mind you, it has to be a good one or it'll just end up in my 'don't bother' file on my Kindle :) Have a lovely week.
ReplyDelete