Reading as a Writer is Making Me Crazy(er).

Jordygirl · Jun 2, 2007

Lately, as I come upon the first revision of my novel, I've noticed more and more that I'm reading with writing eyes, not reading eyes. I'm taking little notes the whole time, mentally noting the author's dialogue tags, descriptions of characters, use of commas and other punctuation, scene and chapter length, words that could be switched around to read better, believable vs. cheesy dialogue, etc.
I know this is probably helpful and all but HOW DO I STOP IT?? I mean, seriously. Sometimes I just want to read for the sake of reading, without such a critical eye. When I want to read like a writer I want to read like a writer; but when I don't, I don't. Does anyone else have this problem or am I the only one this drives totally nuts?

Hollan · Jun 2, 2007

I can't ever turn it off. It actually does get in the way when I just want to enjoy something, like you said, but I have no idea what to do about it. But, look on the bright side, I think it helps one realize the flaws and strengths in their own writing by noting such things in the writing of others.

That probably wasn't very helpful ^_^

Serena Casey · Jun 2, 2007

You are not alone! I never used to notice that stuff, or at least I couldn't have given you a reason why something bothered me. Now I'm always going, "Nice infodump," "oh, she never would have said that," or "this writer sure does lots of 'as you know Bob'." On the one hand, it's encouraging to know that a novel doesn't have to be absolutely perfect to get published, but on the other, as you mentioned, it can drive you nuts. I think this is one of those bells you can't unring, though.

scarletpeaches · Jun 2, 2007

You're not the only one. I do it too. I think once you become serious about your craft, it happens and it's not something you can switch off. Oh well. Just think of the gabillions you'll make when you're rich and famous (er).

JoNightshade · Jun 2, 2007

I have a similar issue: I can no longer enjoy crap.

I used to be perfectly happy with a sci fi pulp of middling quality, as long as it was a good yarn and kept me entertained for a few hours.

Now? Nothing doing. I am so disgusted by poor and/or simply average, lazy writing that I can only read writing of the highest caliber. A few months ago I literally forced myself through a fantasy trilogy that I KNEW I should enjoy. The plot was engaging and the characters were interesting. Even five years ago, I would have been utterly content. But the author kept using imprecise diction-- words that meant almost, but not quite what he wanted them to mean. It drove me up the wall.

Now it takes me something like four times as long to find reading material, because I have to stand in the bookstore and read enough to know that I can trust the author's style. Thank goodness for libraries... I can just check out a whole pile of "maybes" and then chuck them at my leisure when I get home.

I too would like to know how to turn this off.

On the other hand, it's a good sign. I only like to read writing that's better than mine. If that category is shrinking, it means I'm getting better. I think.

Andre_Laurent · Jun 2, 2007

Yeah, it drives me nuts and I can't stop doing it. Now why can't I see the mistakes in my own work as easy? Sometimes I'll read over the same mistake two or three times in my own and not see it. :rant:

Shady Lane · Jun 2, 2007

I love reading like a writer. It feels so pretentious and nice.
And you can drive the people around you crazy by screaming about how untalented everyone else is. Which is always a plus.

I remember I was reading the new Alice book (guilty pleasure to the nth) and at one point she said something like, "I hate tests. I can't stop worrying and my hands perspire."
And I threw down the book and said, "Who says PERSPIRE?"
I got all my friends to agree that it was a ridiculous word to use in conversation.

At the very least, critically reading everything reminds me that a lot of crap gets published by major publishers. So there's more of a chance for mine. Lowering the bar, and whatnot.

gem1122 · Jun 2, 2007

Same here. The more I write, the less tolerance I have for others' mediocrity. I have given up on several books lately. Life is too short, and there are just too many books to get to.

I have been reading/dissecting lots and lots of YA novels lately, taking notes on structure, etc., but have still enjoyed a few of them immensely.

Shadow_Ferret · Jun 2, 2007

Nope. Uh-uh. Not at all. I never read as a writer. My writer writes, my reader reads. My favorite fiction is, and always has been, pulpy, and as long as it's a good yarn and the writing is somewhat decent, I'm happy and satisfied.

I can't however, turn off my proofreader.

rugcat · Jun 2, 2007

I have no trouble reading as a reader. I can't read badly written books, but then I never could. (Of course, my definition of badly written is flexible.)

But I find one great advantage in being a writer. If the book is good, I enjoy it even more, because I can see the skill and work that's gone into it. If it's not good, I enjoy it with a certain amount of schadenfreude because my stuff is better.

Shadow_Ferret · Jun 2, 2007

I guess the biggest problem I face with my writer is, he doesn't stop writing. When I read, he's always thinking of how he'd write a scene differently. Or how he'd have made the character react differently. Or how he'd have taken the book in an entirely different direction.

Which is why I don't finish reading a lot of books because then my writer wants to go write.

JeanneTGC · Jun 2, 2007

Shadow_Ferret said:
I guess the biggest problem I face with my writer is, he doesn't stop writing. When I read, he's always thinking of how he'd write a scene differently. Or how he'd have made the character react differently. Or how he'd have taken the book in an entirely different direction.

Which is why I don't finish reading a lot of books because then my writer wants to go write.

Me too, but only if the book is dragging for me in any way. Favored authors, such as Terry Pratchett, never induce this in me. I have to force myself to read them as a writer and to dissect good and bad, as well as to imagine how I'd do it differently.

But if the story isn't grabbing me, then I sit there rewriting in my head until I just stop and go write. Sometimes I finish those books and sometimes I don't.

Hollan · Jun 2, 2007

One of the biggest problems I have is when I have to read a book to my students. Dr. Suess is always good, but our school has some pretty crappy picture books I refuse to even take into class b/c of all the plot holes and disjointed sentences. I don't care if it's a book for 4 year olds! It should still make sense!

Okay, rant done ^_^

Sandy J · Jun 2, 2007

I'm no longer a reader. I'm a critiquer.

MelodyO · Jun 2, 2007

Shady Lane said:
At the very least, critically reading everything reminds me that a lot of crap gets published by major publishers. So there's more of a chance for mine. Lowering the bar, and whatnot.

Let's toast to that. ::clinks glass::

I critique while I'm reading, but I make darn sure it's not going to be crap before I start reading. So mostly it's admiring the work and trying to pick up the techniques by osmosis.

MMcC · Jun 2, 2007

I don't mind this syndrome as much when I am looking for something good to read so much as when some twerp is trying to convince me he/she knows what's good.

What the average pedestrian reader praises in gushing spewages of glorification makes me want to slap them. And if I SAY anything negative I'm being a snot, so I never do. I try to politely indicate I didn't enjoy it as much while pretending to be thrilled that Joe Moron has read the latest from Otis Overpaid. Wow, Oprah recommended it you say? I shall burn a path to Borders, really I shall.

*barf*

Shadow_Ferret · Jun 2, 2007

At least they're reading.

CACTUSWENDY · Jun 2, 2007

I no longer enjoy reading like I use to. Might say the joy has gone out of it. I use to read several books aweek.

I guess this means that by taking up the desire to be a writer I have lost that release of the inner man, (woman in this instance) to lose myself in the fields of anothers' mind. For me, that is a loss.

(Sure am glad I did not take up directing or producing movies. :roll:

That would really cut into my entertainment.)

Jordygirl · Jun 2, 2007

It sucks that so many people feel like to be a writer is to give up their initial joy of reading. I hereby vow to never let that happen to me.

This might sound crazy, but maybe we all need to take our writing a little, uh, less serious? I mean, quit obsessing about all the little things and just WRITE for gosh sakes! Maybe that would help the whole reading thing?

Or, another suggestion, somehow compartmentalize your brain so that your writer's mind doesn't interfere with your reader's mind?
Hmmm.

MMcC · Jun 3, 2007

If my internal censor/critic ever stopped working I would kill myself.

It not only makes my work better, it is what allows me to know good work from bad. I don't want to like bad books. I don't want other people to like bad books.

Being hyper aware of inferior work is a GOOD thing. It just sucks for the unhappy few who are looking for Terry Pratchetts in a Danielle Steele world.

Tia Nevitt · Jun 3, 2007

Jordygirl said:
Lately, as I come upon the first revision of my novel, I've noticed more and more that I'm reading with writing eyes, not reading eyes. I'm taking little notes the whole time, mentally noting the author's dialogue tags, descriptions of characters, use of commas and other punctuation, scene and chapter length, words that could be switched around to read better, believable vs. cheesy dialogue, etc.

You are not necessarily reading as a writer. You are reading as a connoisseur. Like a fine art lover, or a music aficionado, you truly know the craft, and you therefore appreciate it when you see it well done. You also notice tiny little flaws that no one else would notice.

When I listen to classical music, I don't just hear the melody. I hear the time signature. I know whether its a major or a minor key. I can tell certain intervals between the notes. I listen to the texture of the background instruments. When something doesn't work for me, I know why. For example, I don't generally go for dissonant works. I'm sure if I were a composer, instead of just a musician, I would be able to listen even deeper.

You have the expertise of a composer. Instead of being disgusted by these little flaws that you find in published works, you ought to be encouraged. It shows you that perfection is not attainable, nor is it desirable. All you really do need is a great story.

Uma · Jun 3, 2007

I've always been a bit of a reading snob (as my poor friend who lent me the Da Vinci code and then made the mistake of asking me what I thought lets me know all the time). Since getting more serious about my writing, I'm more aware of some of the choices that I see the writers make, but I still have the ability to enjoy a good story.

I've gone back and reread some of my faves to get a better feel for the choices. I notice now when they use 'said' and am more aware of details. I'd say I enjoy reading more now, than before. I feel like I'm doing my homework.

Jamesaritchie · Jun 3, 2007

Reading

I have no more trouble reading for pleasure now than I did when I was a teen. Either I like a book or I don't, and it's always been this way. Books still suck me in, and I don't see the writing at all.

If I really love a book I'll then read it a second time as soon as I finish the first reading, and on the second read I do, intentionally, read as a writer.

If writing interfered with my reading, I'd give up writing in a second.

Azure Skye · Jun 3, 2007

It's starting to happen to me as well -- never thought it would either because I enjoy reading to escape.

So, I've been reading And Then There Were None by the wonderful Agatha Christie and I can't stop noticing the way she does dialogue. I've noticed it before in her other books but it never bothered me but now, *sniff*. I can't seem to ignore it.

Tracey · Jun 3, 2007

I've been editing my latest work and have been looking at everything through critical eyes. I've noticed a lot of terrible things in the book I'm currently reading and it's driving me crazy. It's never happened to me before as a reader. Maybe once I get past the editing phase I can get back to enjoying my reading time.

Reading as a Writer is Making Me Crazy(er).

Nothing doing.

Stage name = Chainsaw Sally

User Titles Rock

has finally arrived

my name is hannah

We can pickle that

Court Jester

Lost in the Fog

Court Jester

I *am* Catwoman...and Gini Koch

Stage name = Chainsaw Sally

In a state of denial...

Waiting for love on the web

Court Jester

An old, sappy, and happy one.

Nothing doing.

Anywhere but here, anywhen but now

Huh?

I am Catwoman...and Gini Koch