Since I've begun writing a new romance, I've been deliberate about reading more romances. I want to immerse myself in the genre, reading and noting all the places where my emotions are engaged and seeing how the author accomplished it. I want to get my mind and creativity settled into the romance genre.
I tend to read widely, lots of genres, especially mysteries. I read thrillers, some horror, westerns, historical, contemporary, whatever catches my eye. I also read a lot of non-fiction, history and biography.
But I find when I'm writing a new story, I want to read romances. I want strong heroes, intelligent heroines, compelling conflicts, and a sense of inevitability when it comes to falling in love. I know some writers shy away from reading their own genre out of a fear of copying the style or story line of another writer, but I can't imagine not reading romances while writing.
Some of my favorite romances were written half a century ago by New Zealand author Essie Summers. I just finished re-reading Winter in July a very satisfying story.
How about you? Do you read widely in your genre? When you are writing, do you still read fiction?
I read primarily romance, specifically historical romance set in the Victorian Era. It's my favorite genre, which is why it's what I write.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first began writing, I chose not to read while I was drafting my stories. I was afraid I'd unconsciously be influenced by what I was reading. These days I read because I want to be immersed in my genre. Reading another author's book before I go to sleep helps pull me out of my story and put my characters to rest so I can (hopefully) get some rest myself.
I'm reading Unending Devotion by Jody Hedlund right now. I was privileged to read the story in manuscript form, but I love seeing how it turned out in the final print version. It's every bit as good as I remember. I love her hero, Connell. And can Jody ever keep a reader turning pages. She's a master at creating conflict and tension.
I read in my genre and out and yep, when I'm writing I read fiction (usually outside my genre).
ReplyDeleteAt the moment I'm reading two books. Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson and Accidentally Amish by Olivia Newport. :)
I mostly read in my genre, especially when I'm trying to get in the mood for writing that genre. Every once in while, though, I'll read something else, to get a better feel for characters and pacing. Or just for fun :)
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, I always read romance! Historical, suspense, futuristic...as long as it has romance, I'm good! lol
ReplyDeleteI just started Season of Love (I think?) by Virginia Carmichael (Mary Virginia Munoz). I'm enjoying it so far!
I definitely read in my genre (contemporary romance/romantic comedy), but I also adore historical romances, some women's fiction and a suspense every now and then. :)
ReplyDeleteYep, I read my genre. For me, when I read outside my genre is when my voice starts veering. Especially if I'm reading an Elizabeth George mystery--that's when my sentences start getting long and flowy and quite British. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm not a writer, but I do read a variety of genres. My currently reading/recently read stack includes several books for my theology paper, the Silmarillion, Prince Caspian, and two children's picture books: a fiction one called Not A Box and a non-fiction called How We Travel. Somewhere in that stack is a balance of college student, nerd, and preschool teacher. :)
ReplyDeleteI read a variety of genres, too. Right now I'm into the old pulp fiction stories by Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett. I love noir mystery! Other than that, I read steampunk, epic fantasy, paranormal romance, and historical mysteries.
ReplyDeleteI'm always reading. :) I just finished Tracy Groot's Flame of Resistance. Boy, was that good!!!!
ReplyDeleteI read mostly romance, but I love good suspense and women's fiction too. I do not read horror and hardly any science fiction.
ReplyDeleteI'm not reading anything at the moment. Recently I finished Susan May Warren's You Don't Know Me. I just received Ronie Kendig's Trinity in the mail. Anxious to get started on that one!