So I want to talk about something different today. This is still totally relevant to the blog, so stick with me.
I took a break from editing (and writing and schoolwork and sleeping and eating and... wait what?) to read a book* that I've been meaning to read for months now. It's a trilogy, so I figured it would take me a while. I started the first book on Thursday afternoon and now it is Sunday night and I am halfway through the third book. Like I've said before, I read fast when the book is good, and let me tell you, this book is good. I was afraid that reading would distract me from editing, which I've been slacking on the last week (school has been busy), but quite the opposite happened. I ended up taking notes on my phone for things that I need to work on that the author of the book did really well. There was a strangely high number of parallels that I could draw between the book and my manuscript. Sometimes scenes in the book reminded me of scenes in my own even though they were completely different simply because they made me think of things I could do better.
I know you've probably seen numerous people advise aspiring writers to read and I'm here to tell you that every single one of those people is absolutely correct. I had always seen advice like that and thought it was only applicable long term, like reading a lot makes you a better writer over time. While I still think that is true, I was not expecting to see the effects so quickly.
My point here is if you're getting stuck either while writing or editing, put it down and read something. Not only will this give you some distance from your own manuscript which is sometimes necessary, but it will also remind you of what you like in books when you read. I have been so caught up in my own story and words for so long that I forgot what I like to read. I forgot how much I love it when a book actually makes me laugh out loud. I forgot how interesting and frustrating it is to have a narrator that second guesses herself. I forgot how much I love sarcastic, sassy characters. I forgot how much I like confident but vulnerable love interests. I forgot how much I love when you feel a character's pain so strongly that you actually physically cry with them. And I forgot how much I love a book that forces me to read at every possible available minute because I just can't bring myself to part from the story.
I think it's hard to remember your favorite parts of a book when you are writing one. It's easy to get caught up in the technical craft and trying to pander to what you think your intended audience wants. Taking the time to relax and read a book made me realize that I am the audience. I am a reader and ultimately, I should be happy with the final product. If I write a book that I don't enjoy reading, then I'll never be happy with it. If I write a book that I enjoy reading not just because it's my story but because it is genuinely pleasurable to read, then chances are other people will like it too.
So take some time to read. Read books in your genre or books with similar elements. Read books that are drastically different too. Don't forget that the joy of reading a truly good book is what inspired you to write a book in the first place.
KMG
*The book series I read was The Selection by Kiera Cass. Definitely check it out if you haven't. It's incredible, as is The Siren by Cass.
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