It’s the first Wednesday of the month, which means it’s time for another action-packed installment of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group.
(For more information and/or a complete list of participants, please click on the above link…)
This month’s co-hosts are Sarah (the Faux Fountain Pen), Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose.
This month’s (optional) question asks, “Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) in which you write? What motivates your reading choice?”
I have been in a reading slump for a good long while now. Don’t know why. But back when I did actually read books, I didn’t care about the genre. I read whatever piqued my interest. Fiction, nonfiction, whatever. All I cared about was a good story. If it had interesting characters doing interesting things, then I was good.
I’d choose a book because it had an eye-catching cover or an intriguing premise. I’d read a book that a trusted source recommended to me. And I would try to read the trends because I wanted to know what people were talking about. (I spend a lot of time being clueless, so when I can get a frame of reference, I like to do that.)
I know a writer who doesn’t read genre fiction. They won’t even consider reading genre fiction. Anything romance, fantasy, mystery, anything like that is an automatic nonstarter. For them, it’s literary fiction or nothing. And it makes me sad. I mean, I firmly believe people should read whatever the hell they want to read, but I occasionally get sad when I think about all the cool stories they miss out on because they’ve dismissed it out of hand like that. Nothing worthwhile there. It’s just genre fiction.
Which is, of course, not the case.
I also get sad when I think about all the cool stories I’m missing out on because of this stupid slump of mine. I hope whatever my problem is I get over it sooner rather than later.
On that note, I’m outta here. Thanks for stopping by today. I’ll try to do better the next time.
Stay safe and well.
Literary snobs are missing out.
Pick a short story to read, then it won’t be too much of a commitment.
Are you still picking books up, giving them a try? I ask because I hit a slump last year. I started and stopped way more books than I ever did. Nothing grabbed me. But eventually, I found my way out of it. That next book I picked up got me out of that slump, and I wouldn’t have come across that book if I hadn’t kept trying. 🙂
What about re-reading some old favorites? Or how about trying some middle grade novels? I tend to turn to them when I’m starting to feel burned out on a particular genre. CITY OF GHOSTS by Victoria Schwab was creepy and fun. And I enjoyed Dusti Bowling’s books. Her last one was mostly novel-in-verse and a little darker, but her earlier ones are a little lighter – loved, INSIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF A CACTUS.
(Okay, I’m done now. :))
Hope you get out of your slump soon. It’s hard when nothing appeals!
I’m with you – I love genre fiction. I read more serious stuff when I was younger but I much prefer genre fiction nowadays. There are so many incredible stories out there!
🙁 I’m sorry to hear you’re in a slump. I’m currently in binge mode with reading, but there are times where I will go several months without picking up a book. Maybe it’s like a roller coaster and you’re rolling down, but soon you’ll sweep back up!
Good luck with your slump. I went through one for awhile after my husband died. It was hard. Maybe just focus on your most favorite authors and genres to get back into the mood.
I hope you get out of your slump soon! I read a lot, but I have had some slumps, and usually I get out of them by reading short stories, or magazine articles, or poetry. Short stories give me a taste of really good stories. Sometimes, I read books for little kids or graphic novels, or basically anything short to give me a few words, but not too many when I’m slumpish.
Best wishes for writing, reading, and living in March!
I’m always so sad when I can’t read. For me, it sometimes works to choose really short things–something I can read in a single sitting. @samanthabwriter from
Balancing Act
I’m sorry about your reading slump.
Some people only read non-fiction. Where’s the imagination in that?
I don’t know how anyone could avoid genre fiction. That’s so limited! Why would you do that to yourself?
I hate when people look down on genre fiction.
Hopefully you’ll get out of your reading slump soon! I give myself a pass on the reading if I’m spending a lot of time writing…this isn’t usually the case, but I can dream, right??
I haven’t been reading much, either. I’ve been rereading a lot. Maybe you might consider that? Read something you enjoyed before, or even something you didn’t enjoy before. I know I’ve enjoyed spending time on books I liked and just reading the scenes that liked.
I’ve never had a reading slump. It’s the one thing I always love to do and I usually read three or four books a week. Maybe try with something short, like poetry or short stories that you can dip in and out of. It might kickstart you back into it.
I’ve been in a reading slump, too. It sucks because I have so many books to read and just no motivation.
It makes me sad when people refuse to read genre fiction, too.
I’ve also been in a reading slump. Well, with fiction. I’ve been reading non-fiction easily enough, but fiction…I’m having a hard time getting into it. (It’s been like this since last year.) I have a lot of books on my TBR list and my bookshelves waiting for me, but… *sigh*
I can’t imagine not reading but I did have a slump, or maybe lack of time when my children were little and I was running 5 or more miles a day and teaching, coaching. I don’t know why I didn’t have time to read. I can’t imagine people not reading something because it’s genre fiction. Sounds snobby.
I have always said that the only thing that I hate about writing is that it cuts into my reading time. And I’ll add that it makes me a bit of a reading snark. It’s harder to find books that catch my interest. My own reading time was suffering, so this summer, I started rereading books I loved as a kid. I’ve reread Black Beauty, Little Women…I’m currently reading Heidi. It’s been like visiting old friends.
I feel sorry for anyone who limits their reading to a particular genre. I read all over the place, scifi, fantasy, mystery, thriller…like you said, whatever catches my eyes and interest. I’m currently reading Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (who also wrote Never Let Me Go and Remains of the Day) and very much enjoying it (more so than Never Let Me Go). I’m having a good reading year so far…
I recommend some Michael J. Sullivan. He’s an author I’ve been very impressed with via his kickstarters. It might get you out of your slump. I’d start with the Legends of the First Empire books.