I don't think I can write the mysteries I love to read, and maybe that's a good thing. As a writer, I can be very critical of another scifi author's craft technique in my own genre, especially when it interrupts my reading. Sometimes I can ignore it and just enjoy the story; sometimes I can't and it ends my reading. Which might be why I enjoy mystery and suspense so much. I used to love Regency romances because I loved the authors Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer and the dance of manners their stories presented. Recently stories set in this era and the Victorian era have changed drastically to become more sex-oriented. I still read it. Of course, mysteries have always crossed over into many genres, including historical romance, which I enjoy.
Like every other reader, I read for certain reasons, and certainly entertainment is the first that comes to mind, which brings relaxation. Yet, giving the mind a new experience also plays into my reading and this plays into both fiction and nonfiction reading. In nonfiction, of course, I seeking information and to learn something about a topic that interests me. In fiction, no matter what the genre, I'm always fascinated at how reading words can meld into an imagination-based reality.
Please visit these authors to explore this topic:
Skye Taylor
A.J. Maguire
Anne de Gruchy
Heather Haven
Dr. Bob Rich
Helena Fairfax
Fiona McGier
Kay Sisk
Rachael Kosinski
Connie Vines
Rhobin, that's a thought-provoking post. Interesting that the craft in your own field can get in the way of enjoyment. I find that the case in anything I read. Nothing like poor sentence structure, or loose subplots, or the like, to make me lose interest.
ReplyDeleteI also don't like to read in the same genre that I write in, but for a different reason. I don't want to, even inadvertently, use someone else's plot points or events. I figure I avoid all of that by not reading similar books to what I write.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm also a huge non-fiction reader. I go on binges where I read everything I can find on a subject, or by an author. I've been asked why I know so much about science subjects, since I'm "only" an English teacher. I tell people 2 reasons: 1-Because I'm old, so I've been around long enough to read a lot, and 2-Because I've been out of school a long time, so no one makes me read anything anymore. I can pick and choose from the panoply of knowledge in books, whatever I find interesting and pursue it until it's not interesting anymore.
Plus, as you say, I'm fascinated by words!
I completely ignored Non-fiction in my post, but your post is right on. I do love non-fiction. I hated history growing up, but then got into reading Georgette Heyer's regencies. And one day came across her book about William the Conqueror. For the first time ever a historical figure became a real person I could care about, and my love of history was born. My current favorite is Jeff Shaara, but I've read plenty of others.
ReplyDeleteRhobin, I've seen lots of writers extolling science fiction, both for writing and reading. Your point about reading helping one write is extremely true; if I'm not reading, I don't have a prayer of writing anything worthwhile. :)
ReplyDeleteAll the details are in this post is awesome
ReplyDeleteSusan