The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer – aim for a dozen new people each time – and return comments. This group is all about connecting!
Today’s Question – Everyone has a favourite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
I love to read. And thankfully have many readers in my family. I used to say my eldest sister was the most ferocious reader I know, until my middle sister beat her in our Goodreads challenge last year. We’ll see what happens this year. Having my sisters list of books, my connections with writers, and a curiosity to learn about new books from radio interviews, blog posts, and newspaper reviews, I’ve been exposed to many genres. My book club challenges me to read books beyond my ‘normal.’ Also, I’ve been blessed to be part of many book launches that allows me to read not only brand new books, but also genres new to me.
So yes, I’d say I read widely in many genres. But currently what influences my writing the most are essay collections in books such as Anne Lamont’s, Small Victories, and blogs by Ann Voskamp. When playing with writing teen fiction, I reread S. E. Hinton’s drama The Outsiders and Madeline l’Engles fantasy, A Wrinkle In Time. Even though I do read current teen and young adult novels, I am motivated to re-read my favourites when writing.
From literary journals to romance to tween graphic novels (I am on book 4 of The Babysitters Club graphic novel series), and everything in-between, I read just about everything. That doesn’t mean that I finish every book for reasons you can read more about here. However, I’m happy to live in a world where reading choices are endless, I’d say (much better than television choices in my opinion)!
Is there a particular genre you are drawn to or do you read a variety of genres?
Read more from IWSG HERE
You can read more from the wonderful writers of various genres at ISWG. The awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!
And now wide spaces for you from Athabasca Falls, Jasper, Alberta. You may want to grab a blanket first…
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With limited reading time, I don’t read as widely as I’d like. I have a few favorite go to Women’s fiction authors who put out books so fast, I can’t keep up. Your photographs are simply stunning, Lynn! Thank you for sharing them.
I sometimes think I read too much, Jill. It can be a procrastination activity! I know some authors do seem to put out books so fast, and I wonder how they do it. Your books are beautiful and a great accomplishment.
Thank you for your sweet words, Lynn. Oh, I’m the queen of procrastination! 🙂
Just gorgeous!
We are fortunate there are so many choices out there.
Yes there are so many choices, Diane! Thanks for the compliment on the pictures. It is a beautiful place!
Gorgeous pics! We haven’t been out west at all – bucket list though!
I’ve gained a lot of new books through book launches too. 🙂
I hope you do make it out west! I’ve spent a lot of time in the east having family still in Ontario, but a western gal now. 🙂
I’ve been reading the BSC graphix too! I remember reading them with friends in my youth. (Like Logan, I had a bunch of female friends.)
I LOVE the snow pictures you shared here. Great shots.
I love reading a wide variety of genres. I posted for IWSG day today. My post includes a new book by a friend, a note about a free book next week, a tweet about a query contest (LGBTQ romance this round), and a quick message about April Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
Wow! You read a pretty wide variety of genres. I’m impressed. As far as the pictures go, they’re beautiful, but we’re going through a bit of a warm spell here in Michigan, so I don’t want to think about the cold weather.
I hope it just keeps getting warmer in Michigan for you! I’m over winter too, and looking forward to spring and summer!
As always, I love your photography. Such a beautiful place.
And yes! It’s great re-reading favourites.
I love your photography too, Lynda!
Lynn, this was a fun post to read. You do read widely! I read in a number of different genres. I have books I’ve won from various giveaways, books recommended to me by friends, books that intrigued me, and books I’ve just had for forever. I’m slowly working my way through them (I’m a sloooow reader). I enjoy reading stories and learning from authors’ ways of crafting characters and stories.
I understand what it is like to have books forever on a TBR shelf, Jeanne! I have the best intentions to read mine and then I go to the library blowing my plans array! Have a wonderful weekend!
Totally awesome photos you have here, Lynn! Truly breathtaking. Bravo! There are so many titles out there to read, sometimes it’s difficult to choose when you have limited time. All best to you, my dear!
oh so cold … oh so breathtaking!
Loved Anne Lamont’s writing book BIRD BY BIRD but have yet to read any of her actual novels. I suppose I should try one someday.
Regarding BABYSITTERS: I met Raina Telgemeier at at a comics convention years ago, before she became big, and I knew right away from looking at her work she would be a success.
I reread favorite novels all the time.
I have more reading time now than I used to when I was working. I do read a wide variety of genres, but when I was teaching, I used to read YA fiction with my teachers’ book club. I don’t read it anymore. I also have found that my book club introduces me to books I normally would not have read, and I love it for that.
Hi Lynn. Sorry I’m late in getting here. I LOVE your photos. They take my breath away as I gaze at the beauty our God has created, and they breathe life into my spirit. 🙂 I read mostly fiction if they hold Christian values and meaningful takeaways. Not all hunky dory Christian fixes though… I love the ones with real life struggles people have. I do read nonfiction, too, but at a much slower pace. With the Bible, I’m trying to read shorter pieces and digging in deeper than feeling guilty I don’t read the entire Bible in a year like some do. Love and blessings to you, my friend!