This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
You can listen to Anna’s podcasted novel over on her website www.annabellwrites.com and follow her on twitter @annabell_writes
One of the most valuable things I think I do as a wannabe writer, other than actually sitting down to write, is making time to read.
I was reading writing tips from a chick lit author but I can’t remember who. But what I do remember was they had a brilliant bit of advice that went along the lines of,
"Read, read and read some more"
I really believe it is great advice.
I’m lucky enough to review chick lit books which is brilliant as not only do I get lots of free books, but I get to really evaluate what I read. When you write a review I guess you have to think that you could affect the sales of a book, meaning you have to really look at the good and bad points of it. If it is truly awful, then you have to communicate why its so bad. Are the characters two dimensional, or is the plot too simple? The same goes for a fantastic book, what is it about it that gives it that sparkle?
As an aspiring author, who is long out of English Lit classes, its a great thing to actually do as it makes me really analyse the books.
I start examining plots and how characters are developed. Keeping track at what point in the stories authors put their twist and turns. Now that I read one or two books a week (as opposed to one a month if I had the time) I also really notice well formed writing. I read a Louise Bagshawe novel at the weekend and although the story wasn’t my favourite, it was really beautifully written. The prose read so well that you almost forgot you were reading a book.
I also get to read books across the whole genre of modern women’s fiction from the good old bonkbuster to the more refined hen lit. But whatever I read, good or bad, it's all good experience. I think that it has improved my writing dramatically.
The only problem I have with reading loads is that every so often I read an amazing book which I’ll be in awe of and that makes me think I don’t want to be a writer as I’ll never ever be as good no matter how heard I try. And then a few days later I’ll start reading another book which isn’t as good and I’ll go back to the idea in my head that actually – I could do better – or at least equal it in the very least! And that’s when it spurs me on to sit down at the laptop and write some words which one day someone else might be reviewing…