Monthly Status Report
So, after my slump in August, September ended up being a very good month, writing-wise and other. I decided to put my revision on hold for Nano, to use its energy to power me through the rest of the rewrite, so I haven’t done much on that.
But I have gotten some more work done on the website — still obviously more needs to be done, but it’s on the right track. And I wrote two flash fiction pieces: a story about a dragon at Christmas and the next installment of my Tarot series, IX – The Hermit. I’m pretty happy with both of them, but still awaiting feedback on the dragon story.
The decision to focus on my routines has paid off. I have been sleeping better and feeling like I have more energy. The writing is more consistent, too, which is expected and a nice side effect.
October’s Question
So, now onto the optional question:
October 2 question – It’s been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don’t enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?
When I saw this question, I will admit I was a little dumbfounded. Why would someone who does not read even want to be a writer? It’s like someone who hates music wanting to play the piano. What is the point if it’s not your thing?
Reading has always been my thing. Oh, there was a period when I didn’t know about the type of books I would have liked to read, and I was reading all this realistic fiction, and got bored with in, and thought I didn’t like reading anymore, but that was just because I didn’t know about the right books. As soon as I found Nancy Drew, I was off again, usually finishing a book a day, despite going to school. And after Nancy, there was Agatha Christie.
And then, in junior high, I found some Piers Anthony Xanth books in my cousin’s room. Then Mercedes Lackey, Marion Zimmer Bradley, Ursula K. LeGuin . . .
Writing is just an extension of all that. I wanted to stay in those worlds forever, but more, I wanted to create my own. I found books that I loved, but also books I wanted to love, but didn’t . . . where the idea was fascinating, but the book wasn’t what I wanted. And so, I wanted to write those stories.
And that’s where I am now. I want to write all the stories that I want to read that don’t exist yet, except in my head. But if I didn’t read . . . what would I write? And why would I write?
INSECURE WRITER’S SUPPORT GROUP
FOUNDED BY
Ninja Captain Alex J. Cavanaugh
Writers supporting, encouraging and learning from each other. Post on your own blog about your struggles, your triumphs, and your successes. Talk about your works in progress: the good, the bad and the ugly or some other writing relating topic on your mind. Read others, interact, comment, and grow within this wonderful author community. Every month there is an optional question for those who may need help figuring out what to post about.
Twitter is @TheIWSG Hashtag: #IWSG
And here are the awesome co-hosts for the October 2 posting of the IWSG!
Ronel Janse van Vuuren
Mary Aalgaard
Madeline Mora-Summonte
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor
Yes indeed! I can’t imagine why anyone would think they could write well without reading widely. It boggles the mind.
Thank you! Yes, it doesn’t make sense to me, either!
Good for you for getting on track! Fingers crossed it all continues for you! 🙂
I’m always so disappointed when I pick up a book that has such an intriguing premise but falls flat for some reason for me. Sigh.
Thank you! I get disappointed, too, but then I get inspired, so I guess it works out!
Seems pretty universal through out IWSG that reading is critical to good writing. I do know a writer who didn’t read WHILE she was writing…she wrote a lot though, and I think missed out on a good bit of reading…
Yes, that’s different. Or choosing to read something vastly different from what you are writing — I don’t deliberately do that, but I know others who do. And I suspect there are lots of Nanos where I just didn’t read much because all my time was spent on writing — but that also wasn’t deliberate.