Writer's Read

I've participated in some lively conversations lately about writers and reading. Some of the newer writers had been told that reading would hurt them, that they would lose their unique voice. That's such a myth.

Most writers receive their passion for writing from reading. While reading a good book, inspiration can come for how to write a better book. We can learn the art of ending a book on a hook, how to up suspense, how to develop characters the reader falls in love with. Fresh ideas can be found in books. One tiny thing can spark an idea for a new book with a unique twist.

Books change over the years. The books written twenty years ago, though fantastic stories, would be penned differently today. The story might not change, but the wording, the phrasing, the pace would change to keep up with the way readers expect to find books written in today's world.

So, reading is vital to a writer's health. Don't feel guilty about picking up a book and rewarding yourself for a reached goal. But, don't let yourself become bogged down in reading to the extent that you don't allow time to write.

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What's Not to Love About Having Your Own Space?

As I sit here in my home office, I realize how lucky I am to have a space to call my own. Here I can escape from the rest of the world and hide away to make up stories! That's a writer's dream. That's what we do. We pretend, just like when we were little, and make those pretend things come to life on the page. We need a place to do that.

When I was a little girl, m parents and I lived with my grandparents. In the back yard was an old chicken coup. The structure was long and at one end there was a room, segregated from the rest of the building. The door was an outside entrance. My father allowed me to clean that area, which had small screened windows, and use it for my hideaway. I had a cot inside and a bevy of books. I could escape there and read without interruption, escaping into wonderful, exciting worlds. Many summer afternoons I traveled with Jason and the Argonauts, met the Cyclops, Medusa, and other frightening characters. But, Jason always prevailed. Perhaps that's where my first love of overcoming obstacles came to fruition.

How I loved that little, dusty room.

We all need a space to call our own. Not everyone can have an entire room, but we all carve out special places where we can get away to think, to cry, to create...to just be alone. I hope you have a special place of your own.

What's not to love about that?

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Two Satchels Full!!

One thing you get plenty of at RWA Nationals is free books. I brought home two big satchels full! I sorted them between the subgenres I don't read and those I do. The biggest portion will go to my chapter. What is the problem you ask?

Um, with all this great reading material, how do I put down the books and put my hands on the keyboard to write my own?

I love to read. I always have. I love getting close to the ending and just wanting to hurry and find out what happens, and not really wanting the book to end because it was so engrossing.

How about you? Are you a reader? How do you feel about coming to "the end?"

By the way, have you checked out my contest on my website for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Amazon? Time's running out! It doesn't cost a thing to enter.

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