I try to write literay short stories. Do you think it's harmful to read fantasy or genre fiction books. Some people say you should only be reading in the genre you write. Is that good advice or will it matter if you read in other genres.
should you read what you write
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Harmful? No, I think any reading will help you become a better writer and thinker.
Is it harmful to not read in your genre? Yes, if you don't know what is going on in your genre, then you'll certainly double back on territory or write something that is considered cliched in that genre.
In the end, it's good to read both in and out of your genre.
Is it harmful to not read in your genre? Yes, if you don't know what is going on in your genre, then you'll certainly double back on territory or write something that is considered cliched in that genre.
In the end, it's good to read both in and out of your genre.
Billy, you should read and study the broadest range of genres that interest you, as they'll only help, not hinder, your pursuit of writing literary stories. You might want to avoid steeping yourself into any one genre, even literary, which may stunt your use of expression.
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Read the good, the bad, the ugly and anything else you can get your hands on. Reading within your genre is a definite must, so you'll know when you're treading on timeworn territory. Reading outside of your genre can give you new approaches to something as complex as character creation or even something as simple chapter formatting.
Reading the good stuff will let you know what works. Reading the bad stuff will let you know what doesn't. Reading the newspaper will teach you about precision and a hook. Reading the side of a cereal box will teach you about organization of information (and probably some things about what you should or should not be eating).
In other words, read whatever you can get your hands on, you'll be a more rounded (ergo better) writer if you do.
Reading the good stuff will let you know what works. Reading the bad stuff will let you know what doesn't. Reading the newspaper will teach you about precision and a hook. Reading the side of a cereal box will teach you about organization of information (and probably some things about what you should or should not be eating).
In other words, read whatever you can get your hands on, you'll be a more rounded (ergo better) writer if you do.
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Cool, now I can justify why I read the darn things.NightWynde said:
Billy, I can only echo what has been said. Read anything and everything you can. You never know where you find something useful for your own writing.
Reading all types of books is a great thing! You can really learn from your favorite book - no matter what genre or type. True, if you're writing short stories, you may want to pay close attention to the format and organization or short stories. However, all fiction writing usually requires similar elements for success - interesting characters, great plot / storyline, good organization, etc.
Good luck!
Good luck!
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I change it around, really. The things I like to read, I tend to write something similar. I also been taught to write the things you like to write (and therefore mostly like to read as well).
But then I can hardly imagine that reading something outside your genre hurts your writing. Even if you would write, say, non-fiction, and enjoy reading Fantasy, I couldn't see why it would hurt your writing. You're not going to include a goblin in your non-fiction story are you? At the same time, you could learn something from the way fantasy stories build their world. So, I'd say it's pretty dumb to not read outside your genre, unless you don't like to read other genres in the first place.
But then I can hardly imagine that reading something outside your genre hurts your writing. Even if you would write, say, non-fiction, and enjoy reading Fantasy, I couldn't see why it would hurt your writing. You're not going to include a goblin in your non-fiction story are you? At the same time, you could learn something from the way fantasy stories build their world. So, I'd say it's pretty dumb to not read outside your genre, unless you don't like to read other genres in the first place.
read
You should definitely read what you write, but you should also read what you don't write. You should read as wide and deep as possible.
If you don't read outside the area you write in, how can you bring anything new to the field?
billyf027 said:
You should definitely read what you write, but you should also read what you don't write. You should read as wide and deep as possible.
If you don't read outside the area you write in, how can you bring anything new to the field?
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I would say, read the things you like and write what you woudl like to read.
I'm not sure it's always the genre you write that you shoudl read.
See, I write short stories. But I hardly read any short stories. I tend not to like the genre. Duh.
The ones I write are fairly unusual and, er, atypical mabye. Theyre the kind I'd like to read more of, that I havent found very much.
I'd say: Read widely. Be aware what you like. Be aware, more than anything, of how language works. It's most important to get the language right, not just grammar & that (altho this too!) but how to make the words say just what you want. To write in your own words.
Read poetry, because that will show you so much about all the wonderful things that can be done with words. Even if you dont ever intend to write poetry.
I'm not sure it's always the genre you write that you shoudl read.
See, I write short stories. But I hardly read any short stories. I tend not to like the genre. Duh.
The ones I write are fairly unusual and, er, atypical mabye. Theyre the kind I'd like to read more of, that I havent found very much.
I'd say: Read widely. Be aware what you like. Be aware, more than anything, of how language works. It's most important to get the language right, not just grammar & that (altho this too!) but how to make the words say just what you want. To write in your own words.
Read poetry, because that will show you so much about all the wonderful things that can be done with words. Even if you dont ever intend to write poetry.
If you read only in the genre you write in, your ideas may become stale or derivative. Sometimes a genre you're not familiar with will make you see something different and you can use that to make your own writing just different enough to stand out as inovative. Don't let your writing get in a rut, as it may if you stick to reading only stories that you enjoy, in genres you like. Think new, think different, think strange; your reading experiences should be even more varied than your life experiences.
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I had a problem with just reading horror and thrilller. Now I read far more widely, such as Literary Fiction and it's added a new dynamic to my writing (as little writing as I've doing lately.)
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billyf027 said:
Hey, not so fast. We're not finished here yet.
For something you might not have thought of --- not only read in other genres, but copy out pages of them. Yep, copy out pages. Pick up a a book of a genre that you don't normally read, get a pen (no keyboard for this one) and copy out a page or two or three. The next night get yourself another book. Do it with SF, fantasy, romance, westerns, anything.
The discipline of handwriting someone else's stuff teaches you something of their style. And anything that teaches you something of how another person puts words together will broaden your own skills.
Kim
Actually, I was drawn to this thread by the title, "Should you read what you write?" When was the last time that you read yourself? You should, and read it as a critic might. Study what you wrote, how you wrote it and compare it to other well-established authors in your genre. Be honest with yourself, and grow upon what you learn. You'll become a better writer for that soul-searching effort.
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