tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post3266419088006460685..comments2024-02-17T09:53:06.168+00:00Comments on Notes from the Slushpile: Does writing affect one's love of reading?Candy Gourlayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comBlogger20125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-62835572003885231142012-06-24T09:42:29.538+01:002012-06-24T09:42:29.538+01:00I also felt alone with this problem. None of my wr...I also felt alone with this problem. None of my writer friends had it, and they still learn from what they read, I believe that many of my writer friends being more pragmatic about their reading and writing processes helped there. <br /><br />I'm not comfortable being intensely pragmatic about my writing, but especially my reading, and the more I feel I won't improve unless I am, the harder it is to back off. <br /><br />For me what you said here is so important-<br /><br />"It will be very easy to slip back into rush rush rush mode again of course. It's not easy to stop and look. I'm still learning."<br /><br />But the fact that I STILL HAVE IT, after years of laboring over my craft, however necessary, it didn't erase what "Fun" feels like when you experience the joy of reading books that spoke to you for the first time is priceless.<br /><br />Yes, it does change when you go from admiring reader to writer, maybe not for all, but for me that change was real and it still hurts, but just knowing that it doesn't have to die all together is so hopeful for me.<br /><br />I'm working through this myself. It takes me a long time to reconnect with something I lost touch with that's as multifaceted as reading can be, and while that's not always bad, as you illustrate, that pressure that comes from your inner critic ruling your reading does take a heavy toll on you.<br /><br />But eventually I get that twinge of excitement from a book, and I can care less how "commercial" it is or not, and enjoy the gift of adventure and escape I've been given.<br /><br />I'm never going to be a child again. But that doesn't mean I have to live a life of misery and malice. <br /><br />In my opinion, adults who believe fun's a "useless luxury" are the real "brats", that's how I feel on my good days, at least.<br /><br />Hope you don't mind, but I'm borrowing your "Facebook Hiatus Image" I need it now. Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />TaureanTaurean Watkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16604609379930060667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-43850384999029285992011-09-27T15:02:07.771+01:002011-09-27T15:02:07.771+01:00Yes, I have become hypercritical too. In fact, whe...Yes, I have become hypercritical too. In fact, when doing critique I have to do my first read-through while sitting on my hands, otherwise I'm in there marking up mistakes without even getting into the story.<br /><br />I do find I'm much less critical with books written by people I don't know. I think there's a competitive pressure that surrounds work by my peers and it makes me analyse their choices and language to a far greater degree.Nick Crosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02571077124165351007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-31825303318426755132011-09-27T11:00:11.205+01:002011-09-27T11:00:11.205+01:00Gosh and I thought it was just me!
So interestin...Gosh and I thought it was just me! <br /><br />So interesting to read others thoughts on your topic Candy. I think that we edit our own work to the point of nearly going crazy and then start 're-editing' and dissecting the books that we have bought for enjoyment!<br /><br />I hasten to add that I didn't re-edit Tall Story!Helen Bonneyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084385534599058128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-52339128062547612372011-09-27T09:21:12.879+01:002011-09-27T09:21:12.879+01:00I can still immerse myself, though the book has to...I can still immerse myself, though the book has to be pretty good - but perhaps unusually, I'm willing to read more than one page before making my judgement about reading on. Trouble is, while immersed, I'm also feeling guilty that this is writing time going awol. And like most of you, I also stop occasionally and think aha that's what is happening. I try to make it a learning point when that happens. But it's definitely harder being a reader *and* a writer.<br /><br />In my own latest post, I've been cogitating on my new chapter one, and I'm now thinking, so what? It doesn't have to be perfect so long as the story is great - but an agent might think otherwise! What a dilemma.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-30070264385932414372011-09-27T08:30:52.796+01:002011-09-27T08:30:52.796+01:00>I enjoy reading lots of books, but very few hi...>I enjoy reading lots of books, but very few hit that magic spot.<br /><br />I'll bet everyone's got a different magic spot. When I was younger, anything with time travel or amnesia was cool. Now I can't get into a book unless I really care for the characters.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-4828663372066049872011-09-27T08:08:13.915+01:002011-09-27T08:08:13.915+01:00I've been through phases like this before, but...I've been through phases like this before, but happily I still seem able to immerse myself in fiction without any side effects. One thing I have noticed though, is that I've become harder to please over the years. I enjoy reading lots of books, but very few hit that magic spot. I think that's probably why I started to write my own stories.MC Rogersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13735238884673302488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-13727280910713619342011-09-26T19:57:33.766+01:002011-09-26T19:57:33.766+01:00And there are some books that just take you beyond...And there are some books that just take you beyond all of that nevertheless. One or two will stop Chunterhead. (That's what I call my perpetual inner editor) Occasionally one of my students will do the same. Recent e.g. "The Horses" by Elaine Walker. Recommended. <br />But even so, I don't think Chunterhead matters all that much. it allows me, in a perverse way, to enjoy some books I would otherwise not enjoy.Gill Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00632631163777155215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-49859185815640620672011-09-26T19:17:19.420+01:002011-09-26T19:17:19.420+01:00he sure does. i was going to ask brad (pitt) to mo...he sure does. i was going to ask brad (pitt) to model for the photos but i decided he isn't as hot as david tennant.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-88506896230246317412011-09-26T19:12:29.965+01:002011-09-26T19:12:29.965+01:00That man, Tennant, has good taste.That man, Tennant, has good taste.Addy Farmerhttp://www.addyfarmer.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-23054361885628824582011-09-26T19:10:19.350+01:002011-09-26T19:10:19.350+01:00ah - that's my favourite apart from the last o...ah - that's my favourite apart from the last one. I love a good Potter fest me!Addy Farmerhttp://www.addyfarmer.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-47653638911150380482011-09-26T19:03:25.239+01:002011-09-26T19:03:25.239+01:00what a coincidence, my family is re-watching all t...what a coincidence, my family is re-watching all the HP movies and last weekend we watched The Prisoner of Azkhaban - what a brilliant ending! JK Rowling deserves some kudos for making us suspend our critical faculties! (It's not just you)Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-20298927263824355522011-09-26T18:52:31.172+01:002011-09-26T18:52:31.172+01:00My daughter (17) and a fair few of her mates are s...My daughter (17) and a fair few of her mates are still in love with the world of Harry POtter. They reread and play on Pottermore because they LOVE the characters. <br />I do find that I can suspend my critical faculties fairly easily which probably says less about the books and more about me.<br />Interesting post, Candy. Thanks!Addy Farmerhttp://www.addyfarmer.orgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-64701348698724450752011-09-26T18:02:56.858+01:002011-09-26T18:02:56.858+01:00Candy & I have had this conversation before! B...Candy & I have had this conversation before! But this blog reminds me what law school did to me. I spent so MANY hours reading cases - reams and reams and reams... - and having to pick out the important points. Usual with a highlighter in one hand. I went through literally years when I just couldn't read for pleasure any more, couldn't even read at a normal speed. <br />When I started writing more seriously I likewise went through a time that I found it hard to read and just get lost in the story: either picking holes in things, or thinking 'oh this is so much better than I can write'. I'm getting better.<br />But I find it hard to read adult books now: they're too slow!Teri Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641477543947472370noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-41320521290265745312011-09-26T13:50:00.265+01:002011-09-26T13:50:00.265+01:00xo xo
Keep playing --- it's good that you can ...xo xo<br />Keep playing --- it's good that you can jump on the trampoline with your kids!<br /><br />miss you!Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14741384161639818654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-7307492111689546062011-09-26T13:00:25.162+01:002011-09-26T13:00:25.162+01:00Well it's very subjective - what I love might ...Well it's very subjective - what I love might not be your cup of tea ... but for what it's worth - Fifteen Days Without a Head by Dave Cousins (in manuscript form), Moon Pie by Simon Mason and The Kitchen God's Wife by Amy Tan (I read this 19 years ago through the night while at the bedside of my first born in hospital ... picked it up recently and couldn't put it down).Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-72054989687382647872011-09-26T10:46:40.899+01:002011-09-26T10:46:40.899+01:00Oh lord, and I thought it was just happening to me...Oh lord, and I thought it was just happening to me - I am so glad I'm not alone. Both a degree in English literature, and now writing, seem to have dulled my appetite for books, or rather, books that are anything less than excellent (which, I acknowledge is entirely subjective). With many, I struggle to get past the first chapter, if I'm not engaged, I find it hard to continue, I find I get easily irritated, picking holes in what I read.<br />So now, Candy, you have reveal the three books that sucked you in - I need books that suck me in, otherwise I will just continue to lament the loss of reading purely for pleasure!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871239587214383387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-56642638672280143352011-09-26T10:32:02.378+01:002011-09-26T10:32:02.378+01:00Ooh, Candy, tell us what those three books were!
...Ooh, Candy, tell us what those three books were!<br /><br />Great post - I think the advice to slow down is spot on. I left the first draft of my book alone for the whole of the school summer holidays, although sometimes I was itching to pick it up and read it. The first draft had been a rush to get the story down on paper and see if it made sense. But in those seven weeks spent doing other things, somehow I got to know my characters and settings, so that when I went back and reread the story I could see what needed to be done to make the story richer and more layered. (Now I've just got to actually do it!)<br /><br />Thanks for a thought-provoking post.Helen Petersnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-282936636777952202011-09-26T09:34:31.742+01:002011-09-26T09:34:31.742+01:00>Mind you, when a book does suck me in, it'...>Mind you, when a book does suck me in, it's all the more magic for it!<br /><br />Well that's the amazing thing isn't it ... the books that can surprise and delight readers as jaded as us are real treasure! I've read a three books like that recently, couldn't put them down, read under the covers by torchlight ... so satisfying.Candy Gourlayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07802791643303335762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-26964891848031721472011-09-26T09:32:22.415+01:002011-09-26T09:32:22.415+01:00Interesting, Candy. For me, this problem happened ...Interesting, Candy. For me, this problem happened years ago - doing an English degree and then PhD meant for a while that I analysed books rather than enjoying them. But after a while, the analysis part becomes assimilated and the enjoyment returns but is enriched by understanding and knowledge. It means you can work out why something works - but you don't have to, after a while you just know why it works. <br /><br />The enjoyment has not gone, it is just undergoing a sea change. And certainly slowing down helps!Stroppy Authorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16560035800075465845noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-701894736280253278.post-81752267491319948432011-09-26T09:29:42.154+01:002011-09-26T09:29:42.154+01:00This is me and I fear I am becoming a book bore. O...This is me and I fear I am becoming a book bore. On reading the first page of my book club choice this month, I sighed heavily saying 'well that's a cheap devise to get me hooked.' <br /><br />Spoiled. Mind you, when a book does suck me in, it's all the more magic for it!Kathryn Evanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16439670363289229014noreply@blogger.com