Reading and writing
I’ve been reading Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials” trilogy for about two months now. Six months ago I would have read all three books in a few days. Since having a child, my reading habits have sort of dried up. I’m sure this will get better as she gets more scheduled, moves out of our bedroom, and sleeps more at night, but for the moment my reading is restricted to…how to put this…private time in the WC.
One of the things you hear every successful writer say is “read as much as you write.” This is good advice, it speaks to a need to stay current in the field, keep the creative impulse stimulated, and to see how others wordsmith. It works for me too, when I’m reading well, I’m writing well. And I see that it works for my peers too. I look at the amazingly prolific Ian Rogers and see that he is reading a new book or story every day.
So, why am I prattling? Because my daughter turned three months on Sunday, and I don’t want to use her as an excuse not to write anymore. I’m recommitting to writing, and therefore recommitting to reading. If you’ve got any good recommendations for someone who loves almost any genre, I’m open to them. Let me know.
3 Comments so far
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First of all, congrats on your daughter’s three month b-day!
Secondly, I wouldn’t worry too much about your writing and reading time. It’s all about priorities, and right now yours is to the fam’damly. Well, the fam is always a priority, but sometimes more than others — like, say, when you have a baby.
I certainly don’t think you’re using your daughter as an excuse. Especially with it being your first kid, you’re learning how to juggle this new person in your life. It’s not like buying a dog. I’m confident everything else will shuffle around to accommodate the new baby, including your reading and writing. It’s just a matter of getting everything adjusted and settled.
I’ll drop you a line or give you a call with some recommendations, though. I’ve always got plenty of those.
By Ian Rogers on 02.25.08 4:40 pm
I know how it is with kids.
Just keep pressing along.
I’d recommend J. Gregory Keyes’ Waterborn/Blackgod duology, not to mention pretty much anything by Tad Williams and Clive Barker.
By Jeff Parish on 02.25.08 9:00 pm
Alright, Jeff. Your rep is on the line. Just bought Waterborn on Amazon. I’m actually eager for some high fantasy, which I haven’t read in a looong time.
By CMO on 02.28.08 10:13 am
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