Wednesday, October 2, 2019

IWSG & EEK!

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.



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!



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October 2 question - It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?

EEK!
I can't imagine trying to write a story without being a reader.
Reading has taught me so much - and not only about Story, but we'll stick with that for this post! 😀

From reading, I've learned how Story flows.
I've learned how Tropes work and how they are different from Cliches.
I've learned what the Beats of a Story are and how they flow.
I've learned how Characters interact and how Emotions trump all (at least for me!).
I've learned that Fantasy & SciFi & Romance & Adventure & MG & SciFi & YA & Mystery all have their own personalities, expectations, and styles.

I've learned a lot of these things by osmosis.
From the Bobbsey Twins to the Hardy Boys to Anne of Green Gables to the Hobbit to Agatha Christie to Anne McCaffrey to JD Robb and beyond, I've learned a lot. Those lessons have become a part of me and therefore part of my writing.

If writers haven't immersed themselves in those worlds, how can they create a story that fits seamlessly into that world they're writing?

Maybe some people can, but I sure can't.

What about you? Do you think Writers should be Readers as well?


50 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Well said! And how do we know our writing is any good if we have no comparison?

Mason Canyon said...

Great post, Jemi. My question would be why would you want to write if you didn't read? I just don't see how it would work.

Cathrina Constantine said...

Totally agree with you!!!

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I firmly believe that every writer has the obligation to read. The world is much bigger than a writer's tiny mind. In order to expand his thought processes, reading is necessary.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I sure can't either. I had to devour all of McCaffrey's books multiple times.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Totally agree! I read about a book a week. It really informs my writing, even though I read genres I don't write. :)

The Cynical Sailor said...

Eek indeed :) I think I've learned a lot about writing through osmosis too.

Cheers - Ellen

Natalie Aguirre said...

So agree. I also learn so much from reading.

Jennifer Hawes said...

There is so much to learn from reading!

Jemi Fraser said...

Great point! I never thought of that!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's an excellent question!! And I agree - I don't think that would be very successful!

Jemi Fraser said...

Yay!

Jemi Fraser said...

Yes! And reading enriches us in ways we can't imagine before we read!

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too!! Love PERN and go back to visit it often!

Jemi Fraser said...

Me too - I like reading within and without my genre. Keeps my Tigger Brain happy!

Jemi Fraser said...

Sometimes the very best way to learn!

Jemi Fraser said...

And it's SUCH a fun way to learn!

Jemi Fraser said...

Totally agree!

emaginette said...

I read a lot, but that's NOT how my love of writing started. I'm more of a work-in-progress. hehehe

Anna from elements of emaginette

Sarah Foster said...

I don't think I would even know I wanted to be a writer if I wasn't a reader first!

Elephant's Child said...

Of course readers and writers are flip sides of the coin. And this reader is v grateful to those who have more than one side.

Chemist Ken said...

Even after reading a lot, I still didn't understand enough about plot and structure to write anything of worth. I can't imagine writing without a lot of background material to work with.

Michelle Wallace said...

Great points that nail it!
I can't understand people who don't read. They have no idea what they're missing out on...
Happy IWSG Day!

Jemi Fraser said...

Being a work-in-progress is fun! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I"m completely with you!

Jemi Fraser said...

I believe you have both sides of that coin as well! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm the same! I like to be immersed in something before I try to create a new something!

Jemi Fraser said...

Totally agree, Michelle! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Me neither! Life would be less interesting for sure without all those ideas taking space in my brain!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

"by osmosis" I love it!! So true. We just absorb when we read.

Denise Covey said...

Jemi, to paraphrase Stephen King - If you don't have time to read, don't write. Good advice.

Jemi Fraser said...

We really do absorb so much!

Jemi Fraser said...

Agreed - the best!

Heather R. Holden said...

Completely agree! I always learn so much from reading, too. ("By osmosis" is such a great way to describe it!) I can't even imagine how someone would first get the inspiration to write if they hadn't fallen in love with stories as a reader first...

Yvonne Ventresca said...

Agree!

J.H. Moncrieff said...

Whenever someone tells me they want to write a book, but have never read one, I just laugh. I honestly don't think it's possible to write well if you've never read.

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly!!! It makes me wonder why someone would want o write when they don't love to read -- or draw!

Jemi Fraser said...

There's a pretty big consensus on this one!

Jemi Fraser said...

I agree! If you write for yourself, that's great, but if you want to be pubbed, better read!

Juneta key said...

I can't even imagine wanting to write if you do not like to read. Happy IWSG!

Shannon Lawrence said...

I've learned a ton via osmosis, too. Good way to put it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Exactly - but I've heard people say it - wonder if they ever do it :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks - we absorb a lot from our reading!

cleemckenzie said...

I like learning from reading. In fact, I prefer to learn that way over reading the How To books.

Liesbet said...

I totally think writers should be readers - it keeps the brain alive and buzzing, if not lets our own writing juices flow. Yet, I understand how some people might not want to read while they’re working on a big writing project - because of time limitations and not wanting to affect their voice.

Funny you mention Anne of Green Gables. As a Belgian, I hadn’t heard of her, her creator, or her story until I recently visited
Prince Edward Island and Cavendish! :-)

Jemi Fraser said...

I agree completely!
I LOVE that you got to see Anne's house on PEI! I haven't been able to get out that far east but it's on the bucket list!

Rebecca M. Douglass said...

Absolutely in the reader/writer camp! And you and I share most of that list of authors and books :). We’ve gotten close to PEI, but haven’t managed the extra distance to visit Green Gables. That’s probably because it would mean more to me than to my husband, for some reason :D. I did get to visit the Orchard House, where Louisa May Alcott wrote “Little Women.” Gave me a funny feeling to see the tiny desklet where she wrote it.

Jemi Fraser said...

I haven't made it out to PEI yet - but it's definitely on the bucket list. My hubby would be the same as your! :)
I would totally picture Jo sitting at the desk right alongside Lousia! That's fabulous!

Nas said...

We need to keep reading to keep ourselves up to date with writing craft techniques as well as what is trending.

Jemi Fraser said...

Totally agree!!! :)