• Home

Still A Dreamer

Life, art, animals, writing, children's books, dreaming …

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Re-Finding Ourselves
The Delaware River – Post Hurricane Irene »

Reading Feeds Writing (still)

August 19, 2011 by still a dreamer

One of the things I love talking about with friends is what books we are reading and what we are writing. The two topics are often in the same conversation.

One friend is working very hard on her middle grade novel. I am generally working on picture books; however, a middle grade novel is slowly writing itself in my head. I’m asked if I’m not writing this down. I am not. But little by little I am getting to know my characters and I have a fair idea of where they’ve come from, what is shaping their dilemmas and where they are going. When the time is right, and when I know them better, I will begin the writing process.

Meanwhile, I read.  In talking with my friend, we discussed the 3 books I have just finished. She had not read two, but was interested in doing so for the reasons I’ll describe. She was reading, but lost interest in and abandoned, the third.

The first is The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares. I had seen the movie – it was light, probably a “chick flick” – but I liked it.
Advantage to Writer? Observing and understanding realistic  dialogue and relationships between teenage girls.

The second is The Divide by Nicholas Evans, probably best known as the author of The Horse Whisperer. I also read The Loop by him. What a way Evans has of engaging you in a story, building up suspense, then taking a sharp turn away to another character, leaving you wanting more. I only hope, whenever I write my novel, that I can hold a reader’s interest like he does.
Advantage to Writer? Learning how to pace a novel for maximum effect.

The third, (and unfinished by my friend), is The Lovely Bones by Alice Siebold. This was a daring first novel, told from the first person POV of a 12 year old girl who is raped and murdered, and is now in heaven. This could have been really strange, quirky or sappy. It was none of these, and it had my attention through to the end.
Advantage to Writer? Learning to trust in your own unique story ideas, that writing from the deepest and most real place within is where the best stories will always come from.

I trust that all I’m learning is soaking into my unconscious and always making me a better writer. And so the enjoyment of wonderful books continues. What is your reading bringing to you?

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in Books, Children's Books, Creativity, Good Reads, Inspiration, Writing | Tagged Middle grade novels, Novels, picture books |

  • What I’m Reading Now

  • What I’m Also Reading …

  • Like what you see? Sign up and get an e-mail when I've posted something new.

  • Recent Posts

    • My Dad
    • A Little Hope and Happiness
    • Seeing Art …
    • River Walk – Spring 2022
    • Film, Music, Dance, Editing
    • Finding A Unicorn
    • Need A Little Joy?
    • Making My Way in the World with A Book
    • Update on “Butterflies”
    • Send A Little Love in Valentine’s Season
  • I write about ...

    Animals Art Authors Books Cats Children's Books Creativity food French Bulldogs Good Reads Helping Out Holidays Home Stuff Illustration Inspiration Just Fun Life Metaphysical Nature Novels Photography Reflections Society Spiritual Writing
  • Blogs I Follow

    • From The Quill
    • Bespoke Traveler
    • saania2806.wordpress.com/
    • Wandering Ambivert
    • Marie Lamba, author
    • The Yoga Cowgirl
    • J.J.Brown Author
    • THE DAILY ROUND
    • roughwighting
    • Platform Number 4
    • Letitgocoach
    • Giving Voice to My Astonishment
    • Lauren Reyes-Grange, Digital Strategist
    • JEANNE BALSAM GRAPHICS
    • Salmon Brook Farms
    • Harvesting Hecate
    • Cynthia Reyes
    • A Leaf in Springtime

WPThemes.


From The Quill

Aren't songs of grief lullabies to the lost?

Bespoke Traveler

Immersive Tales for the Curious Explorer

saania2806.wordpress.com/

Philosophy is all about being curious, asking basic questions. And it can be fun!

Wandering Ambivert

Marie Lamba, author

Some thoughts from author and agent Marie Lamba

The Yoga Cowgirl

Live fully and have fun doing so...

J.J.Brown Author

Be entertained. Be horrified. Be inspired.

THE DAILY ROUND

Living From the Spirit Level

roughwighting

Life in a flash - a weekly writing blog

Platform Number 4

Becky Ross Michael: an author's blog

Letitgocoach

You can shake the world in a gentle way.

Giving Voice to My Astonishment

Observing, Gathering, Gleaning, Sharing

Lauren Reyes-Grange, Digital Strategist

Lauren Reyes-Grange

JEANNE BALSAM GRAPHICS

BRINGING YOUR DREAMS TO LIFE

Salmon Brook Farms

Official Home of Lavinia and Rick Ross

Harvesting Hecate

Thoughts on life, writing, creativity and magic

Cynthia Reyes

The blog of Canadian author Cynthia Reyes

A Leaf in Springtime

"Be a dew to the soil of the human heart."

  • Follow Following
    • Still A Dreamer
    • Join 149 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Still A Dreamer
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d bloggers like this: