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| Insecure Writers Support Group |
Our Co-Sponsor's this month are:
Misha Gericke
LK Hill
Juneta Key
Joylene Buter
How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?
Short Answer: It's changed how I read every word.
Long Answer: Truly, I look at all the word choices, the structure, the themes, the plotting, etc. But more than all of that, I have to say, the first and most important thing I read for is characterization. If the characters don't ring true, act like real people, I don't review the book. Learning how to create characters is key for writers.
Creating relatable characters is a key skill. What's your favorite tip?
Edited to add: Finally, I feel well enough to actually be back in the swing of IWSG and promoting our mutual blog hop. It's been a long winter already. Let's just say, I'm happy to be back among the community. Let's rock the words we need to write, y'all!
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Might be John and I a few (a lot) of years and added pounds ago.
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I totally hear you. When I first started into publishing, I was totally reading like a line editor. The further I got into it, the more I quick micro analyzing and instead looked for large items: theme, plot structure, character arcs, etc. I've come to the point where I can read without worrying about those things, but I don't enjoy the book much if there isn't a balance.
ReplyDeleteExactly! Books have to be stronger to impress me, now, but when they do--Wow!
DeleteI'm much more picky about what I read, and much less likely to finish something I'm not liking. Sometimes I wish I could go back and read blissfully unaware.
ReplyDeleteI know the feeling. A good story told sloppily makes me antsy. ;-)
DeleteWelcome back.
ReplyDeleteWe have to identify with the characters, which makes them the most important aspect of the story.
Thanks, Alex! I think you put your finger on why characterization matters so much. If we don't identify, we don't care what happens.
DeleteCharacter is a big thing to me in reading. My eye is definitely more critical when reading but try to judge on a curve as I know just how hard it is to write good story.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day!
Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
I like your grading scale, Juneta!
DeleteI always had to finish a book, even if I didn't like it. I no longer feel compelled. I'll read it long enough to identify why I don't like it, take that as my lesson for my own writing and then donate it. My trash might be someone else's treasure.
ReplyDeleteI like your methods, Rose. I've done that, too. I love the "Bring One, Borrow One" shelves at hospitals.
DeleteI did that too - force myself to slog through a book just cos I'd started it. There's no time for that anymore!
ReplyDeleteNo, there's not. Not if we want to write our own stories.
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