I often hear writers say they can’t read for enjoyment anymore because they try to edit/critique/rewrite the story. I cringe when I hear this because I just don’t understand why. First and foremost, I love to read. When I read, I read for enjoyment. Sometimes I might catch a misspelled word but if the author is doing a good job, I don’t care about those things. In an 85,000 word novel, one misspelled word isn’t going to make or break my opinion.
Reading is so important for authors. Reading for enjoyment and reading to learn more about the craft of writing. Everybody thinks they can write a novel, but if they don’t read for enjoyment, they will likely have a harder time.
I think that’s why I have such a hard time editing novels and having critique partners. I love to read, and yes books do exist that will put me to sleep, but I’ve often read the back of shampoo bottles (at least before cell phones existed) when taking care of business and I didn’t have a book nearby, LOL.
Did you know you should shampoo, rinse, and repeat? LOL.
Seriously, though, I love hearing other authors talk about how important it is to read. Some of my favorite authors (Sandra Brown included) take time out of their writing schedules to read. Read. That doesn’t mean edit or critique or judge what you’re reading. Not that you won’t be judgmental or offer your opinion or a review when it’s appropriate, but just enjoy a well-constructed story without going into editing mode.
I’m strongly opinionated (just ask my father) but one of my greatest strengths and weaknesses is to see ALL sides of a story. It’s a positive and negative trait, but one I urge other people who don’t have it naturally to try to consider. In real life, there are many sides to a story, even from one person’s POV. I don’t try to change things or circumstances to fit my reality. Except maybe my cat when she isn’t behaving the way I want her to behave because I want hugs and she doesn’t.
My favorite part of the story is a character. You might often catch me screaming on a television show that that isn’t how things work, but mostly I can enjoy a story when the characters are important to me. Some people—men are great at this—remember lines from movies that I haven’t seen in twenty years. I can construct a kick-ass character assessment that some people might never have thought of, but I can only repeat two lines out of two different movies …
“Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn (even though the book ended differently). And “take me to bed or lose me forever.”