I hope we all realise it's important to read current issues of any magazines we wish to submit to, in order to get a feeling for the kind of thing readers want and expect. The same thing applies with books. Of course we don't always have to do what's expected, but it's helpful to know whether our idea is something fresh and new, or has already been done to death.
Some writers don't like to read while creating fresh stories as they worry they'll be too strongly influenced. The answer is to read outside your genre or market at those times. By reading widely and thoughtfully, we'll learn a lot. If something stops you reading, or confuses or annoys us, we might want to work ot what the problem is so we can be sure to avoid it in our own writing.
There's a lot more to reading than research though. It broadens our vocabulary, introduces us to new ideas, gives us distance from our own writing (and worries) and is generally very enjoyable.
This tip was brought to you by Patsy Collins. Her short story collection Keep It In The Family is FREE to download until 7th December.
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4 comments:
It only makes sense to read the magazine - how will you know what they like otherwise?
So true, Patsy.
To quote Stephen King (On Writing), "The more you read, the less apt you are to make a fool of yourself with your pen or word processor."
HB
Today I learnt the word 'flaunching'. Sometimes, I should do it all the time, I sit with a small notebook and write down words I don't know and look them up later. Reading certainly increases the vocabulary.
I strongly agree that it is essential to read recent issues of any magazines to which you intend to submit, to get a feel for their content and tone - this doesn't mean you won't bring your own unique voice in your writing, which of course you will, and rightly so. When it comes to reading for pleasure, I would argue that there is no wrong way to go about this. Having trained and worked in playwork, in a previous life, I learned that there is no 'wrong' way for children to play, and was taken aback to see some senior people (teachers, not playworkers) 'correct' children for playing in certain ways. Reading, like play, should be freely chosen, intrinsically motivated and self-directed. (In my opinion.) Read what you like, when you like, how you like.
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