Wipmadness Week 4-Why Read

My gosh, can you believe it's already the end of September?

For today's theme I want to share something I heard in the hallway at RWA12 while waiting for a book signing. A couple writers in line were talking and the discussion somehow got to what they thought about reading while writing.

"I don't read while I'm writing. Period. I don't want whatever I'm reading influence me in my own work."

Of course that got my attention and since I'm not shy by any means, I told them I disagreed to a point.

Some others agreed with that one writer and other were like me and disagreed. I do try not to read books that are too close to the premise I'm writing but even then I've found most are nothing like my current project.

In A YEAR OF WRITING DANGEROUSLY by Barbara Abercrombie

186. Why Read

...You need books for inspiration, research, entertainment,as a model and to remind you why you're writing in the first place. (If you don't, why write?"

Good question.



I don't know about the rest of you, but I love books. I love the feel and even the smell of books. Walking in a bookstore is like heaven to me. A few weeks ago I found a bookstore only a few blocks from son's new student center. Seriously I walked in the store and exclaimed, "Omigosh. A bookstore. I'm so happy!"



Yeah, the clerks giggled at me on that one. But man I swear bookstores are better than any Prozac out there!

So do any of you shun books while you're writing? If so, why? Or are you like me and can't resist a good book or two or three...



Now our winner from last week's Wipmadness is: Denise Jardin!

Email me at ixtumea@gmail.com for a choice of the following books:












I'll send it off Tuesday after I drop son off at his student center!

This weeks picks are:

The latest Kendare Blake paranormal with a Greek mythology twist:


An intriguing YA contemporary tale of a teen dealing with a skin condition:



Happy writing everyone!


Comments

Little Willow said…
Bookstores are awesome.
That picture of Audrey Hepburn is awesome.
You are awesome!
When I'm in a writing frenzy, I generally don't read as much, but that's more of a time thing. I definitely don't shun, because books are welcome all the time :)
Carol Garvin said…
When I'm writing, I hate to stop. When I'm reading, I hate to stop. Since I'm always doing both it can be hard to finish anything! So it's kind of an 'ebb and flow' thing for me. When I'm in the midst of a writing project I read a lot less... but I do read. I can't imagine what it would be like not to have a TBR pile tempting me. When I reach a writing goal I reward myself with a reading binge.

Kim Baccellia said…
Little Willow,

I know, huh? It seems like most of the big bookstores have closed including some favorite Indie ones so when I found a bookstore close by? I totally did a jig in the store and didn't care who saw!

You're pretty awesome too!
Kim Baccellia said…
Jennifer,

Ditto here. When I get into the writing flow, I don't read as much as I'd like. But it really surprised me when I heard some authors saying that they don't read at all.

Thanks for dropping by!
Kim Baccellia said…
Carol,

You should see my stacks of TBR books. You'd think this would stop me from buying more. Uh, NO! When we moved from our condo to our first house I swear I had like 10 boxes of just books. A friend, that was helping us move, asked, "What do you have in these boxes? Bricks?"

Now I try to donate them to the library or let others read. Still my idea of heaven is books, chocolate, and more books!

Thanks for dropping by!
Denise Jaden said…
I always read...every single day of my life, whether it's beta reading or writing craft books or simply books for enjoyment. I also write about 360 days per year, so if I had to stop writing on the days when I'm reading, well, obviously that wouldn't work. I don't think I have any problems with other books leaking into my work. My books all have distinct voices and I'm very focused and "in character" when I'm writing.

Anyway, yay for winning a book! Thank you! I will email you.

I turned in my edits of FAST FICTION the other day (yayyyyy!!!!) and am now hard at work on a revision of an older novel. I feel like I'm finally getting into a bit of a rhythm with fall-life.
If I didn't read when I was writing, I'd never read because I'm always writing. I set aside a little time each day to read and it works okay.

I love bookstores too, but our aread is very limited. The libraries are good though. :)
Kim Baccellia said…
Beverly,

I love libraries too but there's just something about a bookstore. Love them!

Thanks for dropping by!
Kim Baccellia said…
Denise,

Yay, you!!!!! Can't wait to read your upcoming book! I also think I'm finally starting to get back into the rhythm of writing.

Congrats too!

Sending your book off tomorrow! **One of the joys of having a post office right next door to son's student center!
Shari Green said…
I don't intentionally not read when I'm deep into a writing project, but it usually ends up that way. I get very focused on my writing/revising, to the exclusion of as much as I can get away with excluding, lol. And on the flip side, I definitely go on reading binges, during which I barely write!
L.S. Taylor said…
I try to avoid reading what I'm writing when I'm writing it. But while trying to market the book to agents? I went through a list of recommended reads in that subgenre. And I *loved* it.

I've been dealing with a horrid cold so I haven't been as productive lately. But I managed to figure out the science behind this fantasy, at least, write a five-page letter to my great aunt, and realize that one of the things holding me back from writing more is that I don't have a proper outline. So that'll be my focus for now. Among all the other things on the writing to-do list, of course.
L.S. Taylor said…
I try to avoid reading what I'm writing when I'm writing it. But while trying to market the book to agents? I went through a list of recommended reads in that subgenre. And I *loved* it.

I've been dealing with a horrid cold so I haven't been as productive lately. But I managed to figure out the science behind this fantasy, at least, write a five-page letter to my great aunt, and realize that one of the things holding me back from writing more is that I don't have a proper outline. So that'll be my focus for now. Among all the other things on the writing to-do list, of course.
I've had varying experiences with reading while writing in a similar genre. I like to read in the genre when I'm in the brainstorming stage because diving into the new worlds (fantasy or not) ignite the muse and gets my creativity going.

Once I'm in the drafting stage, however, I usually read outside the genre. From recent experience, I found myself distracted by those same worlds that inspired me in the first place. Can't rationalize it. I'll experiment again and see if it was a one-off reaction.

I love to read all sorts of books, fiction and non-fiction, regardless of what I'm doing project-wise. It keeps my brain churning and I always find myself engaged and asking questions. I think it's my endless curiosity that keeps me fuelled as a writer.


Have a great week, everyone!

Tonette
I used to avoid reading while I was writing for the same reasons others have said. But now, I have to have something to dive into just to get my head on a different track. Like you, Kim, I try not to read things that are too close to my premise, but I do find that reading refreshes my brain a bit.

When I take the time to read, I find I have a stronger sense of where I want to go in my wip and it has nothing to do with what I just read. The act of reading and getting into another world helps me get perspective on the one I'm creating.

I don't know...in some ways it feels as if I just took time to have a meaningful conversation with someone and now my voice is even stronger.

Rock on, wipsters!
Unknown said…
I have to read, no matter what. It's like breathing or eating or drinking. I have to read.

And I'm finally back in the writing groove.

Finally.

Thanks for hosting this month. Discovering new bookstores if very exciting. As much as I love Flagstaff, it is sorely deficient in bookstores.
Girl Parker said…
I agree with Angi. Reading is breathing and I can't function without it. It also encourages me writing-wise that if they can do it, I can do it. =)
Kim Baccellia said…
Shari,

I think my problem can be with reading so much that I don't write like I should. I've gone on reading binges that I don't come up to write hardly at all! I need to get more of a balance. But then the sight or even smell of a book can tease me to come back for more!

Thanks for stopping by!
Kim Baccellia said…
L.S,

Boo on the cold. I've been fighting one myself for the past week or so.

Yay for realizing what you need to work on. Sending you some faery magic writing dust. It's hard to be productive when you're not feeling too good. Hope you feel better soon!
Kim Baccellia said…
Mary Ann,

Love this:

When I take the time to read, I find I have a stronger sense of where I want to go in my wip and it has nothing to do with what I just read. The act of reading and getting into another world helps me get perspective on the one I'm creating.

Thanks for sharing!
Kim Baccellia said…
Angelina,

There are hardly any bookstores where I live. Most like the Borders have closed. There is one Barnes & Noble but I have to use the freeway to get to it. This bookstore I found is only 5 minute drive from son's student center. I go to the coffee house, which is right across the street, when I drop him off. So I have two of my favorite things: books and tea! Yay!

And yay for getting back into the writing groove. Shaking my wipmadness pom-poms your way!!!
Unknown said…
Love, love, love bookstores!

I read all the time. There's stacks of books all around me, and at least 3 uploaded onto the Kindle at a time. I read not only for enjoyment, but also for inspiration. I also enjoy seeing how authors construct their sentences, paragraphs, word choice, and style. Reading while I write, helps me write. :)

Last week I found a bit of inspiration. YAY!! Plugging away on a story, and I put in 4k over the past 5 days. Thanks for all the encouraging words last week and the cyber kicks on Twitter.

Hope everyone else has a fabulous writing week!!

Unknown said…
Any YAY to Angelina for getting back into her writing groove! *tossing confetti*
Kim Baccellia said…
Yay, you, Candilynn!!!!!Always great to get some inspiration!!!

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