Reading and Writing
The Book-A-Day Challenge is going great. I’m recapturing my love of reading and writing. The fact that I get to read 365 books this year makes me feel like I have plenty of time to re-read old favorites, which has been a wonderful treat. Technically, I’m two days behind, but I’m also halfway through a book in my car, and have made a dent in three of my slow-reads. I’ll catch up.
I’ve found all the Oz books online to download to my Kindle, which makes me happy. My children’s section, growing up, only had four or five, and I’d always wanted to read all of them. Books are so much more accessible now than they were then.
Much to my relief, all this reading is already making me a better writer.
I can totally see why my writing dwindled in the last four months: my reading had dwindled down to pretty much nothing! I’m not one of those writers who doesn’t read; I’m one of those writers who is entirely dependent upon reading in order to keep going.
I can’t get rid of the guilt I feel while indulging in reading, though. I feel like I should be writing more. Working out more. Being… productive. I feel like I’m being lazy. I’m just… sitting and reading for hours a day.
That’s silly, of course. Reading is part of the job, part of the training, part of the kit and kaboodle. Part of being productive.
Right? Or? What think you? Do you need reading to write? Or do you need to not read in order to write?
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Natasha Fondren is a writer traveling the U.S. in a camper with her four cats. She is currently enjoying the lizards and desert heat in Arizona.
I need reading because I love reading books! Reading came first, and writing came from my love of books. I can’t separate the two.
Never feel guilty about reading. When I read a great book, it makes me want to write better.
Amen to that! To every single word of your comment, Edie!
The jury is still out as to whether my own attempts to read more will ultimately get me writing more, but it has certainly rekindled my enthusiasm for books. It has reminded me that books can be magic, not just commercial product. Which makes writing them seem like a more worthy endeavor.
I think that’s why I’ve been reading so many children’s favorites: I’m wanting to find that magic again. (I think I have!)
Wonderful that you are able to read so much! And you are right, reading is your job right now so enjoy it! Don’t feel guilty!
I am telling myself that over and over, Nadine!
I read in between boughts of writing or when I need to take a break from writing.
I also try to read what I’m not writing (fiction). If I read what I don’t write, then it makes writing what I write, less problematic.
A lot of people are like that, G. I don’t mind a variety, but I do notice I copy cat a lot in my private journal.
Absolutely, I agree. I have a friend who insists she’s the reader, I’m the writer. And I really get bent out of shape over it, because I can’t be a writer without being a reader. I think she wants it to be her “special role.”
I’m so impressed by how much you do on a regular basis!
LOL! Janna, it used to drive me crazy when people would ask, “Are you a reader or a writer?”
Grrr!!!
Wow, I wish I could read a book a day, but I’m not that fast of a reader. I would finally be caught up. I have over 400 TBR books waiting to be touched.
Christina, I LOVE it! I feel like I have time to read everything I want!
Oh, the OZ books are availabe on Kindle! Cool. I’ve gotta get some of the later ones.
For free, too, at Feedbooks.com!
I’m with Edie. Whenever I read something I love, it only makes me want to hit the pages again, which explains my lack of the same. I haven’t read in a couple of weeks (haven’t written in eight, so okay, maybe not a good explanation). Hopefully, this weekend I’ll sit in a comfy chair and read, read, read!
It definitely is inspiring! I tend to slip into dialogue-only writing when I’m not reading. I just feel like people will skip all description, LOL, and reading reminds me I can write other stuff, too!
I’m going to jump on the Edie bandwagon, too! I first loved to read, and the love of books led to wanting to write. I can totally see how not reading would lead to you being less productive with your writing. Reading is really part of your job.
I like to think shopping is part of my job. Teenagers always appreciate a good outfit or a cool shoe. That is the line I give my husband. He actually bought it! Mwahahaha!
ROFL! It’s true, though! My one friend, a piano teacher, is a big shopper. Talking about clothes (something I can’t do) was a big reason why she had mostly female older students, and I had mostly male older students, LOL!
Tell your guilt to shut up, and read another chapter.
I love the way you think, Elizabeth!