Oops, my bad. I left town and came back mid afternoon today, and just now remembered it was my turn to blog. Sooo here I am, a wee bit late.
While I was away, I had some down time. I could have done some editing, and actually I did, but I also took time to indulge. I read. Yummy. I picked up Edge of Fear from Cherry Adair’s Edge Series… and I’m just INTO it. Man I tell ya. That woman can write. I miss reading, so these moments when I get a chance I take it.
Here’s one thing I’ve noticed about my reading habits though. I don’t usually read the same thing I write. Is that just totally weird of me? But seriously. Here’s why. When I read someone who writes a different genre I can read it–most of the time–as a non-writer. As if I were any random reader off the street. Lately I’ve been enjoying Cherry Adair and Pat White, both who did a series of suspense or action books. Totally not my usual (though my upcoming book Dangerous Grounds has some suspense/action).
When I read a book in my own genre, the entire time I’ll compare myself to them. I had that idea in my book too. Oh God she’s so funny! How the hell can I ever compete with this? Why didn’t I think of that type of plot point? I get a serious case of ‘I’m not worthy’. For example, the last book I read that was at all similar to my lighthearted style was Gemma Halliday’s Spying in High Heels. I about throw my laptop out the window and declared I would never write again. I mean it was so freaking good! And it gave me the biggest case of self doubt. So that’s why I rarely read them. I don’t get the doubts when I read outside my genre, and I don’t feel like I’m stealing another writer’s ideas.
So am I the only person who does this? Rarely reads the genre their strongest in? Am I just the random freak in the bunch?
April 11th, 2007 at 3:44 am
I try not to read within my genre when I’m writing.
But I certainly love reading just about anything. . . including the backs of cereal boxes.
April 11th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
I’ll read anything. I don’t know if it’s conscious or not, but I tend to shy away from Erotica. I’ve finally picked up a few, and some paranormal which I don’t write much of so I don’t worry about it. The hardest thing to learn is to NOT compare yourself to other writers. We all walk a different path and you are SO worthy =)
April 11th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
I don’t read in the genre I write in either. I love a good gothic or historical paranormal. But can I get an idea for one? Oh no… So I write fantasy instead. LOL It’s not just you!
April 11th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
I write chick-lit but don’t read it. Yet write horror/thrillers/psychologicals and read them all the time. I don’t feel anything when reading them compare-wise as my style is totally different from anyone else I’ve read. Which is cool.
:o)
April 11th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
I read everything all the time, lol. I find a nice mix of YA, horror, erotica, Dr. Suess books, and the occasional paranormal chick lit keeps me so confused I can help but write what’s in my gut, lol. Good post, Shelli!
Hugs, Anna J. Evans
April 12th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Hi Shelli, I’m so glad you wrote this, actually. Because the same thing happens to me, but I hadn’t figured out yet that I shouldn’t keep doing it. When I read Lydia Joyce it makes me want to stop writing forever, and it give me writer’s block. So you are absolutely right, I should stop reading in my genre while I’m trying to finish a manuscript. Thanks for making me realize this!!
April 12th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I typically don’t read the same genre as my current WIP while I’m still in new-writing mode. But I’ve found that regardless of what author/genre I read, it gets harder and harder to turn off that inner CP that wants to comment on every aspect of the story. I luuuuurve to read, and am so disappointed that I’m getting in my own way with my favorite hobby!
April 12th, 2007 at 4:44 pm
I can’t speak as an experienced author, being that I’ve only recently been published.
But I can speak of it from the perspective of my other job. The facts are simple, there *has* to be someone better than you out there, at least in the beginning. Otherwise, you have no reason to improve.
No reason to want to be better than you are - you’d get that big fish in little pond syndrome.
There’s a reason musicians of certain genres flock to specific cities - you have to go where the good shit is, in order to get better yourself.
Every time you read someone that makes you doubt yourself - and mind you, I’m not saying your doubts are justified - you will put that desire to be better into whatever you are working on at the time.
It’s the people who already think they are great who lose out on this. Yes, they may be great. But they rarely get any better than that. And there is always room to be better.
So to ramble. I’ve read your books and I think you write very well. I rarely bother finishing 1/2 the books I start, and yours are keepers.
April 12th, 2007 at 11:17 pm
*sigh* I have three shelves of fantasy books I haven’t even read the blurbs for…because I didn’t want to influence my own writing. Fortunately, I’m settling into my next WIP so much, I might be confident enough to be able to read fantasy while working on it.
I do find myself cursing when I read an idea I’ve had (or really wish I had)
As for “i’m not worthy”ness…the last book I picked up was Raymond Feist, who’s not only a brilliant world-builder, he’s a wordsmith. I felt very unworthy.
April 13th, 2007 at 12:00 am
I love Gemma’s work!
April 13th, 2007 at 2:14 am
So it sounds like there’s a good mix. I do read my own genre, but yes, you’re right. It’s usually between a WIP.
Thanks everyone! And thank you Isabella! That’s very sweet
April 14th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
I agree with Crystal….Gemma’s book is awesome. I swear I laughed out loud so many times I could’ve messed my pants. I still need to get book #2. Hmmmm….maybe this weekend while the hubby’s away. LOL