tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post4133927995599964370..comments2023-05-24T08:06:43.882-04:00Comments on Romance Writer's Revenge: I'm Not Reading LatelyTerri Osburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-33930004119532330892011-07-01T08:24:54.000-04:002011-07-01T08:24:54.000-04:00Boy, we're having fun now, Bo'sun!Boy, we're having fun now, Bo'sun!2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-26605580903706770532011-07-01T08:53:55.000-04:002011-07-01T08:53:55.000-04:00I got a swimsuit a couple weeks ago (still no swim...I got a swimsuit a couple weeks ago (still no swimming functions!), but it was an exercise in demoralization. I felt like I was trying to wrestle my ass into a garden hose, and looked that attractive when I got done.Hellionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-76802966015347885502011-07-01T13:00:39.000-04:002011-07-01T13:00:39.000-04:00Bathing suits?! Eeek. I didn't know we had to ...Bathing suits?! Eeek. I didn't know we had to have bathing suits.<br><br>*jumps overboard*<br><br>The thought of shopping for a bathing suit makes these revisions seem easy by comparison. LOLDonnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-68751787689149259092011-07-01T03:35:48.000-04:002011-07-01T03:35:48.000-04:00I definitely have periods of not reading. But the...I definitely have periods of not reading. But they aren't replaced with anything else. Most of the time, if I'm not reading, I'm writing. I don't watch TV. <br><br>My problem is that I want to read so many books that it's overwhelming. So when I sit down to read, I have to prioritize. What book do I want to read the most? My TBR pile/ebook to buy list is gigantic. But if I want to write, I need to put it above all the other "fun" things out there.<br><br>But I let myself read now and again. I just read Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. <br><br>I do need to catch up on the most recent releases in the Historical genre. Scoop out what's selling right now.Marneenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-41220324686948598092011-07-01T04:34:21.000-04:002011-07-01T04:34:21.000-04:00Oh, Marn. I just bought Smooth Talking Stranger. I...Oh, Marn. I just bought Smooth Talking Stranger. I haven't read it yet, but I don't know why I waited so long. Still, it was one of those things where I had to say--I don't have time to read all three books in that little trilogy. Can I pick up just the one, get through it, and not have it turn into a week-long reading bender? I'll give it a shot. <br><br>I don't ever not read. Sometimes I don't read as much as other times, but I usually fit reading time into my schedule every day, even if it's only that last ten minutes after crawling into bed before I realize I'm just too wiped.J.K. Coihttp://www.jkcoi.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-92082941774378006582011-07-01T04:42:26.000-04:002011-07-01T04:42:26.000-04:00I have periods when I read less than usual, depend...I have periods when I read less than usual, depending on what else is going on in my life, but I can't remember ever going through a period when I didn't read at all. Right now I have four deadlines between July 9 and August 15, and so I'm reading less than a book a day. But once the deadlines are past, I'll make up for it. I'll probably read two or three a day for a week or so. Of course, a lifetime of reading for classes has made me a very fast reader, and I rarely watch TV. My problem is making sure I don't read when I should be writing. The temptation to do that is an ongoing struggle. Reading is so much easier.Janganoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-39359878366762258582011-07-01T04:48:22.000-04:002011-07-01T04:48:22.000-04:00Since I got serious about my novels I've cut w...Since I got serious about my novels I've cut way back on reading fiction, and I never read romance while working on a manuscript. <br><br>Part of the reason is that my memory is a bit flaky and I fear that I'll use some phrase or concept I've read elsewhere without realizing it came from someone else's book. <br><br>The other is that if I read something really good it will make me want to give up writing. I made the mistake last year of leafing through my old Laura Kinsales to see how she wrote her sex scenes--only to lose myself in prose so brilliantly constructed it made me wonder how I had had the temerity to call myself a romance novelist. <br><br>So now when I'm working on my own books, I read biography, history, travel and a bit of science. Some is for research--I must read 20 books for every little fact that manages to slip into my books despite my editor's vigilant efforts to keep my books from reading like historical novels. But much of what I read is completely irrelevant and just adds to the fund of useless knowledge I've spent a lifetime acquiring.Jenny Brownhttp://jennybrown.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-58325996923887338972011-07-01T05:15:10.000-04:002011-07-01T05:15:10.000-04:00But much of what I read is completely irrelevant a...<i> But much of what I read is completely irrelevant and just adds to the fund of useless knowledge I’ve spent a lifetime acquiring. </i><br><br>Hi Jenny! *waves*<br><br>I don't like to think of it of a fund of useless knowledge.... I like to see it as adding to my value as a Trivial Pursuit partner. :)Marneenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-46716390335509637262011-07-01T05:17:24.000-04:002011-07-01T05:17:24.000-04:00Oh, and when I answer the questions while watching...Oh, and when I answer the questions while watching Jeopardy--sometimes before the panelists--it gives me that little jolt of satisfaction.Marneenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-50506753203502035932011-07-01T06:01:46.000-04:002011-07-01T06:01:46.000-04:00I can rather see how you'd want to keep in the...I can rather see how you'd want to keep in the mind of your own book--and losing yourself in other writing will pull you out of your story and the loose ends you need to tie up, et al. Plus you may worry that whatever you're reading may find itself in the edits of your work, since whatever we see, read, eat, et al, tends to end up on the page anyway. <br><br>The only times I don't read is if I get burnt out on my normal genres. Like I'll go through periods where I flat out won't read historical romances because I get pissed off within 15 pages of the start. So I end up watching TV or sulking, or perhaps rereading books I've read before. Now to get around that, I tend to vary my selection from the library. *LOL* I have a literary book, a historical book, a couple historical romances, a contemporary romance, a cookbook, a writing book, and something else altogether. (No mystery, no sci-fi, sorry.)Hellionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-83686946605600481272011-07-01T06:03:58.000-04:002011-07-01T06:03:58.000-04:00I don't read as much either. Most of the thing...I don't read as much either. Most of the things I read now are "work-related", for the Heroes and Heartbreakers blog posts (working on 4 of them right now!) <br><br>And I'm like Jenny--I am afraid I'll inadvertently pick up something while reading, so I tend to read things I don't write, which is romantic suspense. LOL I really like it, but I may be running out of stories to read.<br><br>Which reminds me -- I've got some library books to return today before my tweetup. . .Donnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-73166594351720621082011-07-01T06:09:02.000-04:002011-07-01T06:09:02.000-04:00Marn - It's been years since I've been on ...Marn - It's been years since I've been on such a reading drought. Last time it really bothered me until I figured out I wasn't reading because my eyes were bothering me. Got new glasses and viola! I wanted to read again.<br><br>Not the case this time! I'm just not that interested in reading what is out there!<br><br>Bugs me...I know there is good stuff but can't work up any enthusiasm to start anything.2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-66491025140148394202011-07-01T06:11:38.000-04:002011-07-01T06:11:38.000-04:00JK - Could be why I'm not reading...the fear o...JK - Could be why I'm not reading...the fear of committment. I don't want to start something that will just overwhelm me? I can't recall the last time...no, wait...I can! I got lost in Simon R. Green's Nightside series last year at sometime. Read nine books before I hit the proverbial have-to-wait-for-him-to-write-more issue.<br><br>I mean, usually, I just pick up a cozy mystery and read...I have books sitting around from RT I haven't tackled yet!<br><br>Maybe I need a reading intervention...2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-19516287160088520292011-07-01T06:14:47.000-04:002011-07-01T06:14:47.000-04:00Janga - Makes sense. Maybe the reason I'm read...Janga - Makes sense. Maybe the reason I'm reading my older MSS only is because they are easy. I know what is going on and don't have to think a whole lot?<br><br>Maybe it's a thinking thing and not just a reading thing?<br><br>I know I'm trying to move more and reading isn't really a moving thing... Though TV watching isn't exactly an aerobic activity...<br><br>Maybe I should do what Scape does and try out some audio books...2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-28976455901171892372011-07-01T06:18:04.000-04:002011-07-01T06:18:04.000-04:00Jenny - Wow, that is a lot of research reading. My...Jenny - Wow, that is a lot of research reading. My research reading consists of short dashes into Wikipedia and scanning through indexes.<br><br>I'm not what you'd call an historically accurate writer.<br><br>Shut up, crew!<br><br>I do know what you mean. I went through a phase where I would buy authors I loved and then let the books sit... I was scared of them. Scared they'd intimidate me or fill me with envy. And that is a possibility! Which is why I normally read cozy mysteries, which I don't write...to avoid that tinging my life with green phase...<br><br>But that isn't it...I don't think. Food for thought, though! Maybe it is!2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-22755638334570562822011-07-01T06:19:39.000-04:002011-07-01T06:19:39.000-04:00Marn - Ah, yes! That spice cabinet full of stuff I...Marn - Ah, yes! That spice cabinet full of stuff I never cook with! I used to be good with trivial pursuit and Jeopardy...then my memory turned to mush. (I blame hormones.) And now I'm sit, knowing I used to know that!2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-31755755770630405782011-07-01T06:22:03.000-04:002011-07-01T06:22:03.000-04:00Hel - Yer being kind this morning! I'm working...Hel - Yer being kind this morning! I'm working on not muddying me head and keeping into my own worlds... I like that!<br><br>I'm not sure that is the key, but I like it anyway!<br><br>See, mysterey is usually my go-to genre. Silly mystery, generally. I even know of a few out there I'd normally just stack on the counter and read in an afternoon...but nope. Just can't work up the energy to start them...<br><br>Sigh.2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-9534179977226976102011-07-01T06:24:09.000-04:002011-07-01T06:24:09.000-04:00Donna - At least you're reading tweets...And I...Donna - At least you're reading tweets...<br><br>And I generally don't read what I write, at all. It's rare that I dive into paranormal or scifi... I read so much of that when younger I think my well is still full...2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-63621552531614509402011-07-01T06:33:33.000-04:002011-07-01T06:33:33.000-04:00See, I see many of the others are worried about re...See, I see many of the others are worried about reading other people's work and it end up being in their own work. I mean, I guess it happened to Cassie Edwards--but I think she was reading research books...<br><br>I don't know, I think our personal filters twist whatever we're reading, and even if we do bring something similar to our books (a fun cliche, a similar character), we've given it our own twist. *shrugs* But apparently I've been wrong a lot this morning, so what's one more? *LOL*Hellionnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-16268781155222450082011-07-01T06:37:22.000-04:002011-07-01T06:37:22.000-04:00I don't worry so much about bringing someone e...I don't worry so much about bringing someone else's idea to my writing, but I have been hit by the envy bug so bad it shoved me into a sort of writer's block.<br><br>The first few Kim Harrison's had me bummed out for days! Just kept shaking me head and mumbling about how I could have done this if I'd gotten off my butt and written my ideas down...<br><br>That sort of thing.<br><br>An envy thing... ;-)<br><br>And yer never wrong! Just maybe not right for the particular time?2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-91118553561626303002011-07-01T06:40:42.000-04:002011-07-01T06:40:42.000-04:00I do go through periods when I really don't wa...I do go through periods when I really don't want to read anything. It's usually when I feel overloaded with books waiting to be reviewed for my blog. <br><br>I find that the only thing that works for me then is either reading an old favorite, switching to a new genre, or reading a novella. <br><br>In fact, I hadn't read a book in over a week - GASP - which is hella long time for me and then decided to read Unlocked by Courtney Milan. Short and full of goodness. Totally "unlocked" my reading slump.Scapegoathttp://sabrinashields.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-90657625076763821612011-07-01T06:44:15.000-04:002011-07-01T06:44:15.000-04:00Hellie was wrong. This once.:)I'm not reading ...Hellie was wrong. This once.<br><br>:)<br><br>I'm not reading much either. Though I did finish reading something last weekend. First book I'd read in at least a month or more. I have so many TBR books in my house and on my eReader it's criminal. Embarrasing even.<br><br>I dont' worry about things slipping into my work, but I have experienced that envy thing. That turns to exactly what Jenny says, me questioning where the heck I get the nerve to think I can do this.<br><br>But I'm opposite of everyone else in that I can't read out of my genre when I'm writing. Okay, I don't read paras ever and RS would work, but I can't read Historicals. If I do, my characters suddenly start sounding as if they're all auditioning for a role in a Jane Austen book.<br><br>I can't even wrap my head around Janga's comment. I can barely read a book in a month and she's reading three a day.Bosunhttp://www.terriosburn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-50181843011843765962011-07-01T06:46:25.000-04:002011-07-01T06:46:25.000-04:00Scape - I have been leaning toward shorter stuff. ...Scape - I have been leaning toward shorter stuff. Maybe it's the "not feeling overwhelmed" thing Chance mentions. Quick fixes that at least keep my head in the words.<br><br>Lately I'm trying to write more, which requires pulling myself away from the TV. I do the JK trick of reading those last 15 mins before falling out at night, but that's it. (Which explains why it takes me a month.)Bosunhttp://www.terriosburn.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-66677707344369707072011-07-01T06:48:27.000-04:002011-07-01T06:48:27.000-04:00Scape - I could really see where feeling a bit ove...Scape - I could really see where feeling a bit overwhelmed by the need-to-read-for-the-blog could stifle the impulse to read for just fun. Would make me want to just run away.<br><br>At NASCAR last weekend, my sis asked if I was feeling okay, as I was a bit subdued...and it occured me...as a writer, it's really difficult to leave the day job behind. It follows me...laptop in the car, reminding me of stories untold and plots left tangled... Turns it into work, a bit.2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-70563772441671174832011-07-01T06:51:40.000-04:002011-07-01T06:51:40.000-04:00Okay, Hels was wrong. Just this once!I can see the...Okay, Hels was wrong. Just this once!<br><br>I can see the concern of reading a historical and suddenly your fishing boat captain sounds like an English naval officer during the wars with Napoleon. Bad. Very, very bad.<br><br>I can remember going on benders and reading two, three books a day. But it's been a long time. Wait. I might have done that with the Nightside books. But they are a bit short... ;-)<br><br>Right now, I'd be happy to finish the short story I started two lunches ago!<br><br>And envy...so terribly evil. Not the feeling of it, but how it can shut me down! I don't waste time feeling bad about how I feel... ;-)2nd Chancehttp://www.maureenobetita.comnoreply@blogger.com