Our month of career research is coming to an end, and none too soon for me! I'm ready for lighter, funner topics. But, in the meantime, we have two more posts to get through.
Do you read the genre books you write?
How often? Do you always enjoy them? What do you do when you pick one up and it doesn't excite you at all?
I hate to think of any book as "homework," but we need to read many books in the genre we are writing in.
When you read four or five books in the same genre, you get a feel for the length, the pace, plot points, characters, and the tone. If you continue to read your genre regularly, you'll also get an idea of what themes are oversaturated.
It's vital to read current books. Why? Fifteen years ago, writing styles were different. You may have fallen in love with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, but publishers might not be willing to take the risk on such long books now, especially by a new author. (The exception is if you're Diana Gabaldon, of course!)
Another reason to read a variety of books in your genre is to verify your book does indeed work for that market. If you're writing for any of the Harlequin category imprints, check the eHarlequin site often for their guidelines. Listen to the editor podcasts. It's vital to understand what editors want for the line you're targeting.
The best reason to read in the genre you write is because you love it. Trust me, the love will come across in your writing. Let's say you write an urban fantasy on a lark, but you've only ever read one urban fantasy in your life (you love to read political thrillers). Let's also say your book is genius, and a publisher quickly snatches it up. You're thrilled; however, you don't really want to write another urban fantasy because you want to write a political thriller; after all, that's what you love to read.
A publisher would not be happy to take a chance on a new author only to find out the author plans on writing future books in a completely different genre. When a new author builds an audience, the audience wants similar books to the one they initially fell in love with. Don't expect an audience to follow you from genre to genre unless you're on bestseller's lists, and even then, they might not. Do you think Stephenie Meyer fans wanted to read a warm, women's fiction after reading Twilight? No, they wanted more--much more--Twilight.
What do you think? Do you think it's important to read the genre books you write? I'd love to hear your genre, and don't be shy, throw in a favorite author, too!
Join me on Wednesday when we'll discuss online writing classes.
Yes, I read in the genre I write, but I also read everything I can get my hands on. I like your points about learning more from reading in the genre though. Good to remember. I keep a note book beside me as I read and just jot down whatever seems to stand out for me.
ReplyDeleteI looove reading my genre. It's why I choose to write in it, because it appeals to me so. Hey, my post kind of matches yours today (hosting a middle grade celebration over there). Good advice, Jill.
ReplyDeleteYES! I always read books in my genre.
ReplyDeleteBut I also read books in genres I'd like to write, too. But I don't call it homework, I call it "research". LOL!
Good Morning!
ReplyDeleteTabitha: I'm an avid reader too. Great tip about keeping a notebook nearby!
Tess: Well, your enthusiasm is just shouting today! I'll stop by and check out your post!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Jennifer: Oh, now you've got me wondering what other genre you want to write. And we can say "homework," "research," or "therapy" right? :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Yes, I love women's fiction but also love romance--so I want to write a cross genre!
ReplyDeleteI read in the genre I rite in. Middle grade adventure novels are wonderful, and like you say, it helps me in my own writing. I also read in mystery, I'm writing one now. But I love poetry and romance and everything. And you're right, it helps with pacing, plot and everything else too. Great post, Jill.:)
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree on reading the Genre we write. It's usually first on the list of what I read when reading. But there are many stories in my head because everything in my environment inspires writing. Defining the Genre is sometimes a bit difficult when I am working on different pieces which are in different Genres.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's my favorite genre to read. Here's the interesting part...I am a Christian writer. I can't say that's always the case for other women's fiction authors I read. I read a ton of Christian women's fiction...am beginning to read more.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
I definitely read the genres I write, which encompass two. Contemporary Women's Fiction, I enjoy Trigiani, Alice Hoffman, Elizabeth Berg, books along their styles, and memoir of all sorts. So I mix it up a bit!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jill. I think it is important to keep tabs on what is being published in the genre your writing, but I really try to find a balance and not read so much that I'm not writing.
ReplyDeleteI love to read books in my genre because I ... well I love them! Cozy mysteries are fun for me. Joanne fluke is a FAVORITE of mine.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to read more womens fiction because I'm itching to write some in the near future.
Absolutely. I don't know how one could write a genre without knowing it backwards and forwards. It would be like working for Starbucks without ever having had a cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteIf I don't enjoy a book, I've learned it's okay to put it down. While I respect the writer and all the work they did, I accept that I didn't connect with the story and move on. There are too many books to "waste" time on those I won't gain something from.
It's definitely important. But, I don't read in my genre while I'm actually writing. I think it is too easy to fall into mimicking the voice. I think this especially pertains to YA.
ReplyDeleteI do off and on. I write chistian YA and there isn't any hardly out there. But YA in general I read and most of it is shocking. lol.
ReplyDeleteMy problem is that I tend to read ONLY the genre I like to write in! I want to expand my reading experiences! So, I promise to read the books of all of my blogging friends! But until then, I'll keep devouring my historicals!
ReplyDeleteI am currrently writing for children and do read some of my kids books with them. :O)
ReplyDeleteTerri: How about a women's fiction with romantic elements? Perfect for you!
ReplyDeleteRobyn: Middle grade adventure novels--I'm so glad you're writing these. I love hearing books that will appeal to young boys and girls alike. I just read a "Secrets of Droon" book.It was perfect for elementary age boys, but it made me wonder what books were being written for these same boys when they're in 5-8 grades. Now I know someone's on it!
Kiadau: Welcome! I know--I always want to read romances, but sometimes other genres appeal to me after I've read them. I like to write short stories in other genres. It fits my life.
Wendy: It's easier than ever to read great Christian women's fiction now. Aren't we blessed the Christian publishing industry has so much to choose from?
Joanne: Thanks for listing authors! I'm writing them down. I like to check out new-to-me authors from our library. Now I have three more! Thanks!
Connie: I know! I love reading. And gone are the days when I had endless hours to read whatever I wanted. Waaa!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Regina: Oh, I love cozy mysteries, even though I read so few! Am I wrong, they doesn't seem to be an abundance of them now. I'll admit, it's been a while since I've been to the bookstore, though!
ReplyDeleteJanna: The Starbucks analogy was dead-on. How can we write what we don't even like? I don't think we'd be very effective. And I've tucked away a few books that didn't sing to me.
LazyWriter: Hmmm...Mimicking voice. I understand your point. I haven't read any YA in years. Is first person pervasive? Or is third person the norm. Just my personal opinion here, but I think it's easier to mimic someone when writing in first person, because you catch the cadence and timing of their speech.
T.Anne: A few years ago, I was stunned when I walked into a major bookseller and perused the YA section. Where are the sweet high school types of books? Every cover was dark, many with paranormal elements. I loved reading teen romances when I was in high school. Now, I don't see any covers that appeal to me. Maybe the trend will shift, though?
Jody: I love historical romances! They're my guilty pleasure along with my rag-mags (USWeekly!). Keep devouring them!
Diane: I adore children's books. How cool is it that you can share your own books?? Awesome! I think those Junie B. Jones books are hysterical. And for younger kids, you can never go wrong with Curious George.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
i read both CBA and ABA books in my genre. granted, sometimes i skip the ABA through portions of the ABA books...but it's all very good practice to read others in your genre.
ReplyDeletejeannie
Where Romance Meets Therapy
Yes, I read lots of genre books like mine. I'm never happier than when I can find another children's book series that I love. I finished the Artemis Fowl books and the "Overlander" series. These are the newer ones which you say we should read. I also love Sharon Creech and Nina Bawden, but these are older. I really, truly, do love to read children's books.
ReplyDeleteOh, great post, Jill! I definitely believe you should read books in the genre you write. For years I read romance but I wrote in every other genre. Sci-fi, YA, literary, fantasy...anything BUT romance. When I started reading inspirational fiction I saw romance done in a new, wholesome way that impressed me. It took me awhile to attempt that genre but now that I have I've fallen in love with it! I definitely believe I write better because I passionately care about the genre I write and because I "research" this genre by reading a lot of current books. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteI read the genre I write about 20% of the time. I think it's good to read a variety but essential to read books in my genre too.
ReplyDeleteJeannie: I'll bet you have a terrific feel for appropriate content in Christian fiction. Great advice!
ReplyDeleteNancy: The books sound great! I've heard of Artemis Fowl but haven't read the series. Thanks for the tip!
Cindy: Ha! Ha! I love it! Inspirational romance and you will be a terrific fit!
Natalie: Bring on percentages--I love numbers! I'm currently reading one in my genre and one very outside my genre. And I love 'em both!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Contemporary romances is my genre and you're so right. If you love reading that genre, then you do genuinely gravitate to writing in it, if you're a writer that is. Another reason to read current books is for the market comparison in your proposals. You'll need to know a few relatively new books to compare it to for most agents and houses.
ReplyDeleteGood point, Eileen! Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Hi Jill!
ReplyDeleteOverall I love to read (no surprise there!). I am writing in Christian Contemporary Fiction and honestly I struggle to find books that I want to read in that genre.
Any suggestions anyone?
I am reading oustide of my genre currently, and even though like Lazy Writer said it can be dangerous to assume the voice of the other author, I find myself inspired by the quality of writing. It motivates me to give more.
Blessing to you...
There has been some discussion recently (on Nathan Bransford's blog mostly) on whether reading is important if you want to be a writer. I'm glad that you think IT IS! I don't understand writers who don't read, especially in their own genre.
ReplyDeleteI do understand Susan a.k.a Lazy Writer's point about not reading your genre while writing so as not to copycat. That makes perfect sense to me.
I love books like I love salty things. If it's salty, I'll eat it. If it's a good book, I'll read it! :)
I think it's INCREDIBLY important to read in the genre you write in. Only then will you really be able to fully understand it and even be able to bend or break some of its "rules."
ReplyDeleteI think it's vital to read what you write. And because I love the genre I write in, I also love reading in it as well. I write YA fantasy. My all time favorite writer is Patricia McKillip. She has a wicked sense of humor and an amazing way of weaving words together. :D
ReplyDeleteI read books from all genres. I don't read as much when I'm in the middle of a MS, but I do take breaks to read. It helps me.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Jill. Hey, and I hope you had a fabulous birthday last week!
I read a lot of everything, but I actually make a conscious effort not to read within the genre I'm writing when I'm writing it. I'd be too scared that I'd accidentally plagiarize! I'm really paranoid, I know.
ReplyDeleteI write and read historical romance. I love all things historical, and I'm a sucker for a good romance. I love anything by Mary Connealy.
ReplyDeleteTamika: My favorite author began writing books because she ran out of books in that genre to read! See? You're going to fill that genre up!
ReplyDeleteBeth: I can't imagine attempting the unpublished years without a deep, deep love of reading. And I read plenty of books in my genre while I write, but my voice remains mine, probably because the story and theme is so much a part of me.
Melissa: Oh yes! It helps to see what rules can be bent and what is necessary to offset it. I've been studying different authors lately and I really believe sympathetic characters and straight-to-the-heart emotion can cure a whole slew of problems.
Danyelle: YA Fantasy and you are the perfect fit. Someday, a new blogger will be raving about "her favorite author" and it will be you!
Heather: I read a lot of magazines for short bursts. And thank you! I had a wonderful birthday!
Lisa and Laura: I know! I latch on to really great phrases, so I completely know where you're coming from!
Erica: You? Historical? I'd never guess :) Ha! I can't wait to read yours!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Yes, very important! It's how I rejuvinate my creativity. It's how I regain my muse. :)
ReplyDeleteKatie: It's how I escape my problems :) Ha! Books can cure anything!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
I absolutely think someone should read and love the genre they write, for all the reasons you said.
ReplyDeleteBut I also read in a variety just because I love reading. LOL
I think it is very important to read the genre you are writing! I love historicals, particularly medieval, so I read alot of those. All my new ideas are contemporary for some odd reason, so I am devouring contemporary books, CBA and ABA. Very fascinating!
ReplyDeleteJessica: Variety :) I can't walk into a library or bookstore without wanting to take a little bit of everything!
ReplyDeleteSherrinda: You're thinking contemporary? Cool! I'll bet you'd be fantastic at both. Have fun!
Thanks for stopping by!
Jill, excellent post. I think it's very important to read the genre we're writing. I have a hard time doing it, though, as I haven't read anything for awhile, and what I have stacked by my bed to read is nowhere near my genre. I don't even know what my genre is. I'm in trouble.
ReplyDeleteOften, I think many of us write in a mixture of genres, which is fine, although we should always pinpoint it down to one.
In the end, my favorites are classics. But I don't write uber literary works. I like to dabble in a lot of things, and reading in my genre is something I need to work, for sure!
Lady Glamis: I have a scary stack of books too, except mine is several stacks all over the house!
ReplyDeleteYikes!
It's not hard to pinpoint the genre you write in, even if it is a mix, by asking what the main story is? Then what the secondary stories are? The main story might be a suspense, but along the way there might be a romance sub-plot. In that case, the book is a suspense with romantic elements. If a book doesn't seem to fit in any category, I'd say to throw it in "contemporary fiction" or "historical fiction."
Thanks for stopping by!
I love to read in my genre. It is wonderful to read and get a sense of plot, pacing, and characterization. I also look at my fav authors publishing houses and read other authors published by them.
ReplyDeleteOh, it is SO important to be familiar with your own genre! Must(!) keep up with the current trends to be aware of what's selling, what's not, what the publishers are looking for now.
ReplyDeleteKara: I read other authors by my target publishing house too. It's a great way to get a feel of the different voices and styles they're acquiring.
ReplyDeleteTexas Playwright Chick: Absolutely! Plus, it's a good excuse to read :)
Thanks so much for stopping by!
My regular reading tends to be in the genre in which I write. But I also check audiobooks out from the library and listen on my way to and from work and while tooling around town. THAT is reading for pure enjoyment. I just finished Stephen King's On Writing so of course I had to go get Carrie to investigate what it was about his writing back then that so enraptured the world.
ReplyDeleteI read the genre that I'm writing, but I like to branch out and read a lot of other books as well. It's an addiction, but I guess if you have to have one, it's not a bad one to have.
ReplyDeleteI read in my (various) genres - in fact I seem to spend so much time reading as research I rarely get time to read something just because it takes my fancy! I keep resolving to give myself a reading week, where I'll read for pure indulgence, but there's always a revise or a pitch to do, or some plotting and I never get round to it.
ReplyDeleteSteph: I read Carrie when I was a teenager and it freaked me out! So much scarier than the movie. (The Shining is scarier too.) And I love your tip on checking out Audiobooks. What a great way to ease the commute!
ReplyDeleteCMOM: I'm addicted also. The library is the den :)
dirtywhitecandy: Ahh, the hazards of the writing life. We want to read for pleasure, but our time is squeezed. You should take a weekend sometime and read one or two you've been dying to try out!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I apologise, but, in my opinion, you are not right. I can prove it. Write to me in PM, we will discuss.
ReplyDeleteIt was specially registered at a forum to tell to you thanks for support.
ReplyDelete