I have been wanting to engage with all new followers and present followers, so I came up with this idea of Discussion Tuesday. A day to interact online directly to anyone on a few topics (first post for discussion, one will start it off).
The topic today is Reading.
Reading goes in the other hand of the pen like listening and playing music. I read a lot but I see other blogs reviewing an excessive amount of books, which I can not keep up with, as a writer.
I want to know if other writers feel the same.
Is there a healthy amount of reading a writer should engage in, each week?
And, if you do read a lot (a write a lot) how do you manage it?
with life, work, family commitments etc..
What are your thoughts?
Douglas W.T. Smith 
I think reading, any amount on any subject, is imperative for anyone who wants to be a writer. I read quite a bit, not all being novels. I also write a bit, though not as much right now because of health issues. I’m lucky, though, in that most of my children are grown and out of the house and my husband works outside our home, which leaves me plenty of time for anything I want to do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Plenty of time, AND silence! I need quiet when I write and when I read fiction.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Reading is definitely imperative,
I guess its finding the time. Lucky for you, a lot of silence and personal time.
That is my issue, finding the space to fit in my time to write and read. I do find it, I have to schedule it in a week prior though! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know I don’t do enough reading myself. I agree with the common sentiment that authors should devote substantial time to reading. And I don’t think the point is just for critiquing and reviewing. Reading embeds your brain with language. The more exposure you have to language, the more you will have at your disposal when you write. So reading just for fun can be just as helpful as reading to critique. For me, I don’t get through many novels, and the ones I do are usually in audiobook format, which makes it difficult to review. But I will mention books I like, or don’t like, when discussing a relevant writing topic. I also do post mini-reviews of short stories when I share other authors’ work. I don’t like being one of those people that just reblogs stuff for views; I try to interact with anything I share, usually adding comments or critiques. Do that sort of evaluation on shorter pieces gives you similar benefits to reviewing novels, more if you consider that you can be more focused with your critiques of shorter pieces. Flash fiction is very easy to get through and review. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that I write a lot of flash and short stories myself. So to sum up: yes, reading is essential for writers – no, reviewing novels is not – audiobooks are a very efficient way to get your reading in – reviewing flash stories can also help.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you. It broadens your vocabulary and opens your mind to new ideas.
I like to interact as well not share things for likes, that is why I posted this Discussion Tuesday, because from discussion comes different points of view and essentially broadens your perspective about certain topics.
I like to read compilations of short stories, it’s easy to get through and the writing has to be carefully reviewed and re-edited. It’s nice to hear someone reads flash fiction.
Thank you for your perspective, 👌😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Of course, any time!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s reallt difficult to find the time! I try to read and comment on my favourite blogs a couple of times a week but don’t always manage it. And I’ve started reading Moby Dick which may have been a rather foolish choice as I only read at bedtime and it’s one of those books that you read a page of and then fall asleep! It’s going to take a long time…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is so hard to find the time!
I like to get up half an hour earlier to post, read and comment on blogs.
Moby Dicks literature is hard to get involved because the language used is so different to present language.
Don’t give up though! Try something a bit easier like short stories or flash fiction ✌️😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certainly is! There’s something gorgeous about his style though, it repays the effort… when I can stay awake! It’s good to read shorter lighter stuff too though, I agree.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recently bought three books full of short stories written by female authors, edited by Victoria Hislop – ‘Love’, ‘Life’ and ‘Loss’. I’ve found dipping into these and reading one short story or half of one is enough to satiate the reading demon inside. Plus, with the art form that short story writing, every word counts so it is wonderful inspiration sometimes too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find short stories to be very inspiring and motivating. Especially shorter ones as each word has made it through multiple edits. ✌️😃
LikeLiked by 3 people
I try to read often, but not obsessively. I write part time, work full time, and read in between.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s exactly what I do, with hope to turn writing full-time, work part-time (or no time) and read in between 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
I call writing my full time hobby. I hope one day to turn this hobby into my career, but the stars would have to line up spectacularly. 😧
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would love to turn writing into my career and that’s what I inspire. The Stars can line up, a lot easier than you think it can 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let’s make it work. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ll buy your novel, and you buy mine 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a start. Haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Tough question. Good suggestion for your blog. When I’m not actively writing, I take on 2 to 3 books per week. When I am actively writing, I squeeze one in. And it can’t be anything remotely similar to what my writing is about at that time.
You learn from others, but when I’m in the middle of writing something of my own, I need to feel immersed in the setting, characters and plot; absorbing the contents of someone else’s literature can sometimes muddle the waters or bring too many new ideas at once. I try to reserve incorporating new ideas into something I’ve written after a solid second draft when it’s ready to be read by beta readers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow 2 to 3 books a week in between writing, that’s amazing.
Where do you find the time to read that much? Do you work full-time or is writing your job?
I agree with you, sometimes I like to read the same genre as I am writing, because it can bring a new light onto your work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I took some time off from my full-time job, which makes it a lot easier to read and write so much. But I’m looking for a new job now, so it’ll go back down to 1 or 2 a week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Okay that makes sense. If writing was my full-time job I think I would be tackling 2 to 3 books a week.
Good luck with the job hunting 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
thx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do not put a lot of stock into reviews, whether they be from critics or other writer or readers. I judge what I read by what I believe and think. I probably do not do enough reading as a writer. Reading is my way of relaxing at the end of a day. I rarely read to learn about the craft of writing unless it is on the internet. This does not mean I do not read to learn other things though. An informative magazine will usually catch my eye.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I probably don’t read as much as I should as writer but it is hard to find the the time. I also like to read to unwind at the end of the day as well but if it’s a good book it can keep up for a long time and wind me back up! 😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great idea, to start a discussion series about writing/reading topics 🙂 Nice to read so many different opinions.
I’m totally with you, when I see the amounts of readings other people manage to get through, I feel totally overwhelmed. I know that reading is by far the best way to improve one’s writing but the day has only so many hours and my days are already filled with a baby, a toddler, endless house chores and studying for a degree. I try to steal five minutes here, five minutes there to catch up with whichever book I’m reading at the moment and I also like reading flash fiction stories online while I’m having breakfast before the children are up.
Same goes for writing, though I don’t have that much time right now (revision time!) and I haven’t written anything new since … I don’t even remember. With so much going on, I have focused on finishing some flash stories and continue incubating the ideas for a longer story on my head.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was the same when I was doing university (without the toddler and baby) but it was difficult to find the time to read. You eventually make time to write and read around your schedule.
I hope you find the time to endure into literature and writing.
LikeLike
I love reading! I am currently reading a book on the history of Port of Spain (Trinidad). Sometimes it’s hard to find the time to read, but I am never without a book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh awesome! It’s like writing, we just have to make time for it ✌️😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Definitely!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I definitely can’t read the volume that other book bloggers do! There are just too many mundane responsibilities taking up most of my time. Also, when I find a book I really like, I tend to read slower, so I can savor instead of gobbling.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m exactly the same. After this discussion I have concluded, reading is like writing, we have to make time for it otherwise it won’t have the time for us ✌️😃
LikeLike
Great discussion. I am firmly in the camp of a writer needing to read as much and as varied as possible. I read about 3 books a week and always have an audiobook for work commutes. With other daily tasks that need doing, l also fit in writing. The one activity I have dropped is watching tv. Still, there just never seems to be enough time, so I think my organizational skills need to be honed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think both reading and writing are a sort of muscle memory, if you don’t use them they become lax. I try to read and write something every day, no matter if it’s long or short. I might just read one blog post or I might read a few chapters of a book. I might write a few pages of my novel or I might just write a to-do list or scratch out ideas for future blog posts. If I go too long without reading or writing I find it very difficult to do so later on. If I leave my writing projects for more than a few days it is very hard to re-connect with my themes. So while it is hard sometimes, I do believe it really important to find something to do each day, even if it turns out to be small.
Excellent subject. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I 100% agree with you. Everyday we must engage in that muscle, whether it is 5mins to an hour and least the muscle is being exercised.
Once the gears begin to turn, it makes it easier for a writing/ reading session to keep on going for over an hour!
It was an excellent subject and I’m so glad that it has been so active with comments.
Thank you for your input ✌️😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Discussion is a great idea! My reading is limited to crime novels, especially Nordic writers, and I read every night before I go to sleep. That’s my lot! I don’t review books because I have a real problem taking what I have enjoyed (or not) from a book and putting it into analytical terms. I end up with comments like ‘Absolutely loved it’ or ‘Not for me’. It’s even harder to say why I disliked a book. I guess I don’t have an analytical brain.
As far as ‘is there a certain amount of reading we should engage in’ goes, I think we ‘should’ read in the ways we enjoy and not feel pressured. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Book reviews aren’t for everyone, as long as you know you either enjoyed or hated the book. We should definitely read for the enjoyment and not feel pressured ✌️😃
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! 😀🙃
LikeLiked by 1 person
When you start writing yourself, you develop a new respect for any books you read. I don’t particularly read books critiquing them as I go, but I do notice how different writers do things and I think to myself, ‘Ah! That’s clever! Must remember that for the future.’
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have never thought of that! I definitely agree with you, but it is so hard to not critique as you travel through a novel 😃
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for following me. I am an avid reader but I’ve very bad habits. I’ll read different books, non-fiction, novels-two or three at a time, e-books. I think it’s essential to read lots if you want to write. I also love films. I suppose I enjoy escaping into stories.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s okay, thank you for commenting.
I agree, reading goes hand in hand with writing. It’s hard to fit in the time, I try to squeeze a chapter in here and there 😃
LikeLike