What do you read? I know that you do because the idea that you don't is unbelievable. Over on Nathan Bransford's blog last week there was some discussion about whether you need to be well read in order to be a good writer. That the question was even asked was a shock to me. That some people actually said no was beyond shock. How could you possibly hope to be a writer when you don't read? Why would you even want to? Reading is a writer's first love.
When I was younger, I read whatever I could get my hands on. Adventures, mysteries, romances, my brother's westerns. Don't knock Louis L'Amour until you've read him. He is the man. I discovered V.C. Andrews in the 5th grade. I found Stephen King a short time later. Those were two very different genres, yet I loved them both. I read whatever appeals to me that week and the selection is unlimited.
I have read a few classics and enjoyed them but I am primarily a lover of commercial fiction. I don't care what you read, as long as your reading. How can you hope your writing will appeal to readers everywhere when you are not one of us?
Marsha,
ReplyDeleteHow funny, I actually talked about this on my blog not too long ago!
I read a lot of different things...some Nicholas Sparks, John Girsham...I've read all the books that Stephenie Meyer currently has published ("The Twilight Saga" and "The Host").
I've read some Debbie Macomber. I own and read all of Laura Childs' "Tea Shop Mysteries", some Joanne Fluke's "Hannah Swenson Mysteries"
I've read most of Kerrelyn Sparks' "Love At Stake" series, I've read one of Michelle Rowen's books, "Lady & The Vamp"
I've read a bunch of Sarah Strohmeyer's books.
That's a brief list anyway LOL.