Wednesday, February 1, 2017

IWSG: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?

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Insecure Writers Support Group
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

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!


Might be John and I a few (a lot) of years and added pounds ago.
Next Time: January's Mini Book Reviews

12 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. Exactly! Books have to be stronger to impress me, now, but when they do--Wow!

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  2. I'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.

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    1. I know the feeling. A good story told sloppily makes me antsy. ;-)

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  3. Welcome back.
    We have to identify with the characters, which makes them the most important aspect of the story.

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    1. 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.

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  4. Character 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.
    Happy IWSG Day!
    Juneta @ Writer's Gambit

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  5. I 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.

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    Replies
    1. I like your methods, Rose. I've done that, too. I love the "Bring One, Borrow One" shelves at hospitals.

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  6. I did that too - force myself to slog through a book just cos I'd started it. There's no time for that anymore!

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    1. No, there's not. Not if we want to write our own stories.

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