100 things, writing, #30, reading to write

[jana_denardo]

{Take the 100 Things challenge!}

100 things #30 - Reading to write

Stephen King said it better than I. if you don’t read, you can’t be a writer. You have to read just about everything.

You must read in order to write. You have to love the written word if you plan on making a career of it. He went on to say he has no patience for those who want to write but don't want to read. I echo that sentiment and as it's been brought to my attention that this is National Book Lover's Day, I wanted to share my favorite genres with you.

I grew up on mysteries. They are my favorite. If you look at my Goodreads page, they're predominately mysteries. I would love to write erotic mysteries and I do have one or two started but I have to say that it is probably one of the hardest to write, hands down.

Fantasy and SF made up my adolescence and I still love both (though I read less SF now than I used to). Some of my published stories are in these genres (Mysterious Spirit & Ghost of Jupiter spring to mind). Fantasy, I can't remember my first fantasy book, though I know it wasn't Lord of the Rings but that was an absolute favorite. Star Trek & Star Wars got me into SF (yeah yeah not books but that's where it started regardless).

Urban Fantasy is now my second favorite genre. Much of what I've written falls here (i.e. everything else on my story list). Vampires, ghosts, werewolves, fae, I love them all. Anne Rice (in the beginning at least), Jim Butcher, Barbara Hambly Patricia Briggs, Richelle Mead (many of whom are on my flist, my nod to keeping an eye on celebrities (they interest me far more than the Kardashians...)). I am most comfortable writing in this genre and my shelves are filled with it.

Manga/graphic novels - I have thousands of comic books, hundreds of manga and graphic novels. I love them. End of story.

Notice I haven't mentioned erotica or romance that much. Odd given what I write. I'm slowly but surely adding more erotica to my list. There would be a lot more except a) limited funds, b) no library service for this sort of thing in my area c) many are ebooks only and as much as I'm loathed to admit it, ebooks give me migraine and make my eyes physically swell from the strain. Special. I read as much as I can afford or tolerate physically. If I'm going to play in this field I need to know it.

Romance remains one of my least favorites along with contemporary. I've tried, I've tried so hard to really like them but I prefer romance as a secondary to other genres than the main feature (that might be obvious from my own writing and the erotica selections I do make. I hunt down ones that are something other than flat out romance or contemporary). I haven't done much in writing contemporary (which has set me out many open calls this year). I don't foresee that changing much.

Speaking of reading, i have a mystery calling my name.

Comments

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

I love reading. I wish I could do more of it.

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

tell me about it though I do a fair amount

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

You certainly do. Of course, you read in your bath, and I shower.

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

yes which is why i had less reading last year when I had to shower all the time too

[evil-little-dog.livejournal.com]

*nod nod nod*

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

I like to read in the bath, too, but my arm's been so painful that I'd rather just soak it, so I'm losing bathtub reading time (not to mention I worry about reading a Kindle in the bathtub!), but I'm trying harder to get more reading in -- and bathtub aside, it's been easier with the Kindle! Greatest invention EVER.

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

my arm hurts too in the tub but I'm making it do it.

as for kindle points to the comment about eyeballs and migraines

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

That's a shame. This one I've got doesn't seem all that different from the printed page (black text on white).

[jana-denardo.livejournal.com]

even with the printed page if i read as much as I'd like this happens (probably due to the fact I'm blind as you're gonna get and still be correctable (not entirely) with lenses).

[wildrider.livejournal.com]

Ah, yes, well.