But as my writing career grew, I noticed how I read changed. While I still love to read, I find it almost impossible to turn the writer off.
Now I'm not talking how-to write books but I do read those. My two favorites are -
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
How I write: Secrets of A Bestselling Author by Janet Evanovich
What's the difference? How I look/view/analysis the story. Now there are a ton of 'help' articles that tell you what you 'should' look for as a writer in reading, but hey why would I follow those rules? And besides, I believe this process is as individual as the writing.
Sometimes, I read specific books for 'help' in crafting a certain element. Please note: I do NOT read to copy. I read to see how the authors did it. I usually aim for three different authors and they will not handle it the same way because no one writes the same. And as writers and readers aren't we glad!
For example, if I'm struggling to develop a scene that involves a bomber I would look up books that have these scenes. I would note how the authors developed/led into the bomb scene. How much 'technology' did they include, etc. I use it as a bouncing board again NOT to copy.
The four things I note in every book I read because these are things I focus on in my own writing is:
1. How does the author introduce character description. Especially clothes. Because honestly, I have to add this on my second or third draft until then everyone is nude. I mean I know I don't have to include every outfit the reader will assume the character has clothes on but at some point I've been told the reader needs confirmation that my characters aren't a bunch of nudist. :-p
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| Now how can this NOT be in a story... |
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| A perfect place to commit murder! |
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| A portal to another world, I swear |
2. Settings. While I don't struggle with this like the clothes thing, actually it's the opposite I love settings. Almost too much. If you've read my other blog post here or on my blog or follow me on social media you know I love to post pictures of my world. So while my characters are nude, the reader will know about the log with really cool fungus on it. So I note this more as how much to include because again I've been told that not everyone finds fungus cool! 0_0
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| Isn't this cool?????? |
3. How does the character grow. I think is just a standard thing for readers or writers as readers. We all read with the expectation that the character will grow.
4. Were there any surprises? In the plot or with the character. I don't mean the secret child type of thing but the type of thing that makes you sit back and look for a doughnut so you can process it. And if there is - a) does it work? b) why or why not.
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| What just happened!!!!! |
Those are the things I look for as a reader who is a writer. Do you have certain things you look for as you read?
And here is one of my favorite reading spots:
What are yours?
Until next month! Enjoy reading!!!
3 comments:
Lyncee, my characters must be related to yours because clothing is the last thing I'm thinking about on the first draft. Setting - outdoors I do better. Indoors? There's furniture. And when I read, I have to focus to keep reading those descriptions of the living room, bedroom, etc. because I do not care where the couch is in relation to the rest of the furniture, etc. However, my editor is Very Visual and Pay Attention in real life to what people wear, etc. And I've learned to look for those blank places when I do my editing. No matter how careful I am, there is always some aspect of detail that I leave out - again, not because it is a choice to include or not but because I don't see the importance.
As to one of favorite reading spots? Currently it is my couch so I can put my feet up. Where do I do much of my reading? In waiting rooms. With traffic becoming such a trial where I live, I allow plenty of time so when traffic is light, I'm sometimes 20 minutes or so early!
Judith,
I'm the say way on furniture. And I hate the transition details like showing her getting a doughnut from the counter before she eats it. Clearly she picked one up...they don't appear by magic (I wish - haha)
Lyncee, When I read as a writer I look for turning points, pacing, and interesting details in description.
I LOVE fungus, but unless my POV character is a botanist, nature photographer or wild food forager, the fungus better contribute to the story. Are pieces broken off, indicating someone passed that way?
Does the presence of fungus help set the tone?
Is the fungus a motif representing decay, or rebirth, or the persistence of life against the odds?
That fungus has to pull its weight to be included in the story.
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