posted
Another post had me thinking. Do most people generally read the genres in which they write in? I know it isn't always the case,
I love reading S/S fantasy, particularly Robert Jordan. I don't like that much Sci/Fi other than OSC. I have read Anne Rice's Witching Hour series, but that's really all of the horror I've touched.
AND . . . my first novel is horror. Sure, I am not particularly fond of suspense elements, and I know a lot more about fantasy/scifi, but for some reason I can't write fantasy. I try and try, and all that reams out is crap. For some reason horror just feels right. Yeah, I use many fantasy elements (particularly high fantasy) in my work, but it is pretty much horror.
I have a hard time answering that as I have read pretty much every major genre fairly well (i.e. more than one or two books or stories)...except romance, but that is another posting.
(major genre means I probably have not read anything in the voodoo novels aimed at jamaican lesbians category, or the like...)
I do find I am drawn to one particular style or genre of writing, although any more it is difficult to separate genres entirely. Look at Dean Koontz or King or any other number of authors that bring elements of mainstream fiction, sci fi, fantasy (high or otherwise) together in one novel, or in differring amounts in different novels.
As long as you write what you like, and it makes you happy, stick with it. In the end, monetary rewards aside, writing, as any other undertaking, only has true worth if it brings you some measure of joy.
posted
I'm glad you brought this up, JB. I already gave my answer elsewhere, but to sum it up again, I read whatever I want whenever I want. The only restriction I make is that I don't allow myself to read more than four or five novels consecutively in the same genre.
I've also found that if I "label" my own writing -- that is, if I think of myself exclusively as SF/F writer -- I usually get writer's block in a few weeks. What works best for me is to write whatever I want whenever I want. I let the story determine the genre instead of me predeterming what the genre the story should be.
Thus, there's a close connection between my reading habits and my writing habits. Since reading is my primary source of artistic inspiration, the more broadly I read the happier I am as a writer.
[This message has been edited by Jerome Vall (edited February 01, 2004).]
posted
I think of my stuff as a sci-fi and that's my preferred reading... However, as a writing exercise I write first-person accounts of romantic encounters more-or-less as I remember them, but with different "character" names and settings... and I'm afraid this may be some of my best stuff
Its not pornographic or anything... its mostly just internal dialogue/description of stupid things that I htink of or have done while on dates. Seems to just flow out of me and its terribly embarassing... the last thing I really want to write is romance
I don't think I'm a believable character anyway... The one person I've let read this drivel described me as "neurotic."
posted
Neurotic + Romance = Chick Lit. You might have the formula for a best seller there, somnambulous.
I think the danger of not reading the genre you write in would lie in repeating what's already been done. Imagine writing a book about a homocidal lamp monster only to find it was already used... But a lot of writers say they used to read in their genre but no longer do, either because of the danger of unconcious copies, or because it's no longer where their interests lie, or because they're allowed to borrow much more heavily from nonfiction.
posted
I do read sf/f, which is my preferred genre. I din't always - I kind of shifted from greek mythology stories to mystery to sf/f. I've read some things that are close (Lost Moon) and some that are nothing like what I write (the biography of Armand Hammer). I've read other things too, but I tend to only go out of my way to buy sf/f. Actually, now that I am trying my hand at writing, I have branched out in the authors and sub-genres of sf/f that I read, plus of course books on writing. On-line I read almost anything, but with the thought I could use it for a story.
Posts: 465 | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
As I stated in an earlier post on another thread (very tongue in cheek-like). I like to read alot of different things, but I do read mostly Fantasy.
I feel like I need to know what is going on in the main genre I intend to do most of my writing. I do read some "classics" and have had several lightbulbs come on for Fantasy twists on those stories, or parts of those stories.
I find inspiration in the wierdest places, not very many come from books. I think the books generally help me with style in those certain genres, and I feel that is important. Not that I want to copy anybody's style, but I recognize what style I connect with as a consumer, and that helps.
I also like to read some "coming of age" type stories. Those stories really help me with characterization. GROWING UP, by Russell Baker is a good one for that.
I used to spend hours playing Dungeons and Dragons with my friends. (I know, D&D geek)We made up all of our own adventures and maps,and that was a good thing. I go back and look at those made up adventures, and there is a wealth of knowledge there. Lucky for me I kept it all. My Mom always told me I was just wasting my time, I hope to prove her wrong someday.
posted
Although I’ve probably read more Fantasy and Romance than anything else, I’ll read a whatever that looks interesting at the time.
What I write tends to have a lot of Fantasy and Romance influences, but there are plenty of other influences laying about in it, if only in bits and pieces.
posted
I'm with you, JB. The stuff I tend to write is usually kind of dark sci-fi or horror, but I rarely ever read that stuff. For whatever reason, those are just the stories that tend to develop in my head. The stuff I read is usually actually pretty tame, especially compared to the stuff I write. Go figure.
Well, I used to read that stuff all the time. Just lost interest at some point, but it's still what comes out of my head.
posted
I read both fantasy and sci fi. I do read some other books from time to time, but I have a preference for alternate realities and futures. I have enjoyed Nivnen, OSC, Weis and Hickman, Salvator, and more other authors than I can count.
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