“Read, read, read. Read everything – trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the master. Read! You’ll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you’ll find out. If it’s not, throw it out the window.” – William Faulkner
I’ve seen this sentiment from established writers more than once – read everything you can, even if it’s not in a genre that you want to write or that you enjoy. Or maybe because it’s in a genre you don’t want to write. Every different style, every different genre, every different author has something to teach you as a writer.
It was with that in mind that I re-joined the book club that I had left about a year ago. I left the group just because I was feeling the pinch of too many commitments and not enough time (sound familiar to any of you?). But since I left, not only have I missed the excuse to go out for some much needed girl time each month, I’ve noticed that I read everything in the same genre. I generally stick to YA fantasy or sci-fi. Or adult fantasy. This is what I enjoy reading and what I enjoy writing. So, there’s nothing wrong with reading that genre exclusively, right? Maybe. Maybe not.
The book selection for this month was Heidi by Johanna Spyri. It’s a
classic. A CLASSIC. I should have been thrilled to read this right? Oh, lordy, it was painful to get through. But I did! I think it was just because of the style it was written. It was first published in 1880. People spoke a little differently back then, you know.
What wisdom did I take away from this book? It would have been awesome to grow up barefoot and carefree in the Swiss Alps. Can’t say that I picked up anything that will help me in my own writing. Next month’s selection is The Book Thief by Markus Zusak which I am wildly excited to read, based on what I’ve heard about it. But first I’ll have to tear myself away from Clash of Kings.
Do you try to read books outside of your comfort zone just for the experience? To pick up ideas for your own writing style? Or do you tend to always read in the same genre? I’m curious to hear from folks on this!
I’m (not so) patiently waiting to read Clash of Kings before the freaking second season of Game of Thrones starts. I really am excited for that. Honestly, I think people who give advice about reading that’s a blanket statement are never going to be 100% correct. You could gain the world from reading stuff you’re not interested in, or you could never gain a single thing other than more books under your belt, so to speak. I don’t know. Personally, I read a wide range of stuff, but mostly fantasy. And getting through the classics is taking me years and years and years. Good Lord. Haha. Good luck though! And tell me if The Book Thief is any good. I’ve heard many positive things about it.
I was waiting not so patiently on Clash of Kings through the local library and finally gave in and bought it. I couldn’t take the wait anymore! (I’m not very patient…) Re: the classics – I’ve often thought I should try to read more “classic” books but this one experience has made me doubt that idea!
I’ve never read “Heidi,” either, (hands head in shame).
The last time I reached really far out of my comfort zone, I read “Cosmopolis” by Don DeLilo. It was weird and it took me a while to get through a relatively thin book, but it bent my mind in ways that no other book ever has. It changed my point of view in that I saw an entirely new way of writing. It’s not my style, but I enjoyed seeing possibility of playing with words in such an interesting way.
I tend to be a multi-genre reader. If it sounds like a good story, I’ll read it whether it be classic, mainstream, YA, literary, whatever!
A good story is a good story, right?
Agreed – a good story is a good story!!
The way you said that – “bent my mind” – makes me think of why people like to do crossword puzzles. My husband loves them because it exercises his brain. I can’t stand them. Hmm…there might be a connection here!! I think I need to force my mind to be bent a little more once in a while!
You know, I haven’t read a lot outside my genres lately. I use to. I used to grab books off the shelf and give it a try if I thought it sounded interesting. I haven’t been doing that now because I have a stack of books I own two feet high, holds on library books, and I keep adding more to both of them based on things I hear on the Internet and among friends (which just happen to be in my genre). So, hmmm.
Yeah, I think following all the book and author blogs that I do, I find great recommendations far more often that are in the genre I like and therefore that’s all I end up reading. Not that there’s anything wrong with that!! But then along comes a book outside that genre that I’m “forced” to read and it throws me for a loop. That just doesn’t seem right!
Very spooky…..I’ve got a post in my drafts folder that I’ll be posting tomorrow that asks the question, should I join a book group? Lol
I’m guessing your answer to that question would be a resounding yes?
xx
Oh funny! Great minds thinking alike, here! I think a book club is really a great way to not only be sociable outside the virtual world (which I tend to rely on too heavily!) but also to get you to read books you never would normally. Not all of those will end up being books that you love. But some of them may surprise you. One book we read a long, long time ago was “Between, Georgia” by Joshilyn Jackson and that is outside my preferred genre but because of that book she’s become one of my favorite authors and definitely one of my favorite blogs to read.
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