Hi Everyone,
I hope each of you enjoyed this Tuesday. I have been busy with the family today, but tonight I wanted to discuss some thoughts that have been nagging me. Ever since I started this journey of writing book reviews, I have been wondering if how I read a book has changed. I have always been aware of small details that are incorrect, and how the style changes with each writer, so I do not feel as though I have changed my reading habits. However when I start a new book, I am completely aware of the fact that I will be writing a review, and with each review, I am hoping that my voice becomes clearer and my style stronger. I know I am not an author, and my writing is focused on informing others about what other people have written, but I am always on the lookout for ways to improve. My goal is to become a full-time book reviewer and help support my family, but my dream is to help guide readers to a book or an author that they will thoroughly enjoy.
Here’s my question to authors and fellow writers: Once you have made that final decision to become a writer and/or an author, do you now notice your reading habits have changed? Or do you not notice any changes at all?
I am still a couple of days away from writing my next review, but I will keep you posted. Have a great night.
Enjoy!
~Ariesgrl
I actually found that, over the years, I started analyzing novels for content, structure, character development and any aspect I learn and put into my own writing, instead of just reading for enjoyment. This is why I just don’t read as much as I should, it’s very distracting to read something in another book, then think, “Oh! I should have thought of this!”. This is mostly true of paranormal novels, not so much with others. For instance, I can read my favorite novel, Phantom by Susan Kay, for enjoyment. Probably because her writing is on such an incredibly higher level than mine.
I think it’s only natural that as you read a book for review purposes, you’ll pay attention to the “clinical” aspects and not read so much for pure fun. I think it will continue especially if you want make money at it. But I don’t think you’re alone in this. Do what my editor does – read purely for content first, then when all the editing is done, she goes back and reads it casually.
Once you’ve done your review, go back later and read just for the joy of it. That is, if you liked the book. HAHA! Sorry for the rambling… 🙂
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for your comment, and I love your advice. I am the type of person that holds onto my books, just so I can read them again at another time. I find that each time I read a book again, I pick up on something that I hadn’t noticed before, or I like a different section more than before, and this is true for my favorite books that I have read more times than I can count.
I have never read Phantom by Susan Kay. Thank you for mentioning it, I will have to check it out. I have always been blessed and cursed with noticing when the smallest of details are off, and I used to just vent out loud about those errors to my friends and family. Now I just make a quick note and move on with the story. I give myself time to digest what I have read and form my opinion, if I have to look back at my notes to see what issues I noticed, then I know they really didn’t affect the story. I have been lucky so far, because I haven’t read a “bad” book, yet.
Thanks again,
~Ariesgrl
I highly recommend Phantom because it’s a retelling of Erik from Phantom of the Opera. It’s amazingly detailed, given in the POV of not only Erik, but other people that were in his life. Each section of the book is unique. INSANELY well written and captivating.
I guess if you want to experience a badly written book, I recommend 50 Shades of Grey. LOL! But I won’t open a can of worms there…. 🙂
Hi Melissa,
I will be adding it to my To-Read list. Sounds very interesting. Thanks again for the suggestion!
~Ariesgrl
I definitely think that the way I read things has changed – but for the better! I feel like it’s given me a more critical eye in terms of seeing how other people work/write, and it helps me when it comes to my own writing. Since I’ve always been a huge bookworm though, it hasn’t detracted from my enjoyment of reading at all 🙂
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for your comment. I have always been a bookworm, too. As I started this new life, I noticed subtle changes in my reading habits, but those changes haven’t stopped me from enjoying everything that I read!!! Have a good night.
Thanks again,
~Ariesgrl