The better I get at writing...

Brukaviador · Dec 2, 2011

...the worse I get at reading.

I used to just pick up a book, read and enjoy it for what it was. I was open and receptive to other people's stories, and I used to read several books a month. Nowadays, I can get through a bit of non-fiction once in a while, but I've almost completely lost interesting in reading fiction.

Part of it is I'm so involved in creating my own stories that I don't have time for other people's, but I think most of the problem comes from the inner editor ruining it for me. I've gotten so observant and critical of writing that I'm finding it difficult to enjoy other people's fiction like I used to. I keep thinking about how I would have done the idea differently (especially true with vampire fiction), or I can't see the forest for the trees anymore (getting so hung up on the small scale "problems" that I'm not enjoying the story as a whole).

Does this happen to anyone else? If so, have you found some way of turning off this editor in your leisure time and just soaking up the story as a reader again?

Ari Meermans · Dec 2, 2011

Kinda sorta. I was thinking about something like this earlier today. I used to walk a half a block to the library every Monday and check out six books for the week (that's their limit). For the past three weeks or so, I find myself reading the first chapter, becoming impatient, and skipping to the last chapter to read the ending. I put that one down and move on to the next. I might find one or two that I read through to the end. Of course, this necessitates 2 to 3 trips to the library each week.

But, no, I don't think it has anything to do with the quality of my own writing. I really don't know what has happened and it's of some concern to me since I've always read for the sheer pleasure of reading.

AutumnWrite · Dec 2, 2011

Maybe it's because I am still in the learning stage of writing, but yes, I've had the same thing happen lately. I don’t just read to enjoy anymore.

This is especially true of books that don't hook me right away. I find myself dissecting them, looking for problems, trying to find issues. Ultimately, I end up putting them away half read. The good side is it helps with my learning curve. Bad side, I wonder if I'm missing some of the fun.

Solution? Sorry...I wish I knew.

victoriafoyt · Dec 2, 2011

It sounds like you're just reading 'average' writing...

You guys need to find a REALLY GOOD book to read.

Go and get a 'classic' that you haven't read and give it a whirl... I bet that you'll get so egrossed in the story that you won't even realize it until you're a couple chapters in!

I suggest getting a copy of Save the Pearls Part One REVEALING EDEN by Victoria Foyt...

hahaha I'm just kidding obviously. Go read "Cats Cradle" or "Slaughter House Five" (or thousands of other 'non-kurt vonnegut books') and you'll be inspired i'm sure.

(but seriously, buy my book!)

Shadow_Ferret · Dec 2, 2011

Viktor Night said:
...the worse I get at reading.

...

Does this happen to anyone else? If so, have you found some way of turning off this editor in your leisure time and just soaking up the story as a reader again?

No. I enjoy reading as much as I did when I first discovered the wonderful worlds waiting for me within.

Drachen Jager · Dec 2, 2011

I find I have much less patience for bad writing. I still enjoy a good read, but my standards have gone way up.

As an aside, six books Ari? We're allowed ten for a probationary six months, then twenty-five after (as long as we return them or pay the fines during that six months).

I was reading a published novel to my son a while back, it was pretty meh, but he was willing to go on, until something "peaked" the MC's interest. I couldn't read it after that.

leahzero · Dec 2, 2011

Viktor Night said:
Does this happen to anyone else?

Yes.

Viktor Night said:
If so, have you found some way of turning off this editor in your leisure time and just soaking up the story as a reader again?

Yes. Read better books.

That may sound snarky, but it's true. Avoid the hype, buzz, and the marketing circus in general. Ignore trends. Investigate classic authors you've always meant to read. Read the writers who influenced your favorite authors, critics, artists. Take recommendations from people you trust. Discover writers who challenge instead of numb you. When your brain is exhausted from all the stimulation and inspiration, then take a break with something trashy.

Reading well takes discipline, too.

Ari Meermans · Dec 2, 2011

Drachen Jager said:
As an aside, six books Ari? We're allowed ten for a probationary six months, then twenty-five after (as long as we return them or pay the fines during that six months).

Six books at a time is the limit. We're a small town and I used to approve their annual budget when I worked for the city. I told them the other day that they KNOW me and know I donate bundles of books several times year, and that they can even see my front door from their front door. No dice.

Drachen Jager said:
I was reading a published novel to my son a while back, it was pretty meh, but he was willing to go on, until something "peaked" the MC's interest. I couldn't read it after that.

Yepper. That's one of my hot buttons, too.

Susan Coffin · Dec 2, 2011

I love writing, and I love to read. I sometimes read two books simultaneously. I could not imagine not writing or reading.

Ari Meermans · Dec 2, 2011

leahzero said:
Yes. Read better books.

That may sound snarky, but it's true. Avoid the hype, buzz, and the marketing circus in general. Ignore trends. Investigate classic authors you've always meant to read. Read the writers who influenced your favorite authors, critics, artists. Take recommendations from people you trust. Discover writers who challenge instead of numb you. When your brain is exhausted from all the stimulation and inspiration, then take a break with something trashy.

Reading well takes discipline, too.

True. But my book budget took a huge hit this year—so the only books I bought are AWers' books—and our library is my only resource. I'm reading authors I hadn't explored or favorite authors' books I had somehow missed. I'd rather live without bread and milk than books but my husband doesn't agree. *sigh*

Eleanor Rigby · Dec 2, 2011

This doesn't really happen to me. Maybe it's the types of books that you're reading? I do notice wording, but there will NEVER come a day when I won't enjoy a good read.

The Lonely One · Dec 2, 2011

It seems to be a common affliction with writers from what I keep hearing, but not me. I think my preferences are more "defined" now, you could say, like I know why I like certain things, but the authors who are the reason I got into fiction are the kinds of authors I still read for pleasure. Sure, I see things that bother me in stories. But rarely enough to let it bother me beyond a small, "hmm not what I would have done. Oh, well."

I also think school fills my reading schedule so full of stuff that makes my brain hurt in all kinds of ways, I yearn for prose I can wade through like the shallow end of a pool.

Darkshore · Dec 3, 2011

I haven't lost interest, but I do notice a lot more now than I did. I pick up on overused ideas, boring plot-points, etc. The worst thing is that I now notice every single printing error...and there seems to be a lot.

Jamesaritchie · Dec 3, 2011

I think it happens to most writers in the beginning. It did with me, but I put an end to it fast. If I let writing interfere with my reading, I'd stop writing.

It ain't the words on the page you're supposed to see, it's the story and the characters unfolding in your head like a movie. The writers I love still do this for me.

Really, if I see the words on the page, I've found a write I would never have read, even before I started writing.

Brukaviador · Dec 3, 2011

Jamesaritchie said:
It ain't the words on the page you're supposed to see, it's the story and the characters unfolding in your head like a movie. The writers I love still do this for me.

I think you nailed it. I used to read this way. Reading was (almost) just like going to the cinema. Now I'm getting too hung up on the words.

I think that's what I'll focus on next time, is really trying to visualize the scene again and forget the text, plus pick up some better books.

Thanks all.

Jake.C · Dec 3, 2011

I tend to look at it as becoming better at reading, not worse. I might enjoy bad writing less, but now I probably enjoy really good writing even more. Seems like a fair trade off.

Libbie · Dec 4, 2011

Yeah...that totally happened to me, too. D: I guess in some ways it's good, because it means all reading experiences are also learning experiences that can help improve my craft. On the other hand, I often do not seem to enjoy books as much as my non-writer friends enjoy them. I nitpick them instead of just having fun with them. But I guess that's the way it is from now on!

ChaosTitan · Dec 4, 2011

Viktor Night said:
Does this happen to anyone else?

Not really, no. I use a different side of my brain for reading than I do for writing, so I'm still able to be hyper critical of my own writing without it getting in the way of my enjoyment of other books.

Writers need to read.

Ken · Dec 4, 2011

... I don't really read for enjoyment. At least that's not my primary aim. I read to improve at writing. Reading books by authors with similar aims is a help. I couldn't say precisely how.

ShamanDrum · Dec 4, 2011

I find I enjoy reading even more now.

True, since I've started writing I read with a more critical eye, but I find that it helps me hone my craft. If it's a good book, I discover elements I can use and if it's bad, ones I can avoid. I can still read critically and enjoy the book though, as if there were two different parts of me at play.

The better I get at writing...

Brukaviador

Ari Meermans

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

AutumnWrite

Old enough to know better

victoriafoyt

Shadow_Ferret

Court Jester

Drachen Jager

Professor of applied misanthropy

leahzero

The colors! THE COLORS!

Ari Meermans

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

Susan Coffin

Tell it like it Is

Ari Meermans

MacAllister's Official Minion & Greeter

Eleanor Rigby

The Lonely One

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Darkshore

Stranger

Jamesaritchie

Brukaviador

Jake.C

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

ChaosTitan

Around

Ken

ShamanDrum