Pet Peeve #24 - Wannabes
There’s a little saying when it comes to writing I wish every wannabe writer would have tattooed on their forehead the moment they consider writing something:
If you don’t read it, don’t write it.
I’ve been writing for a long time and became known as a writer in middle school. (As much as you can be considered such at that age and writing ability.) When it got around the rumor mill that I wanted to write stories, people would come talk to me about how cool it would be to write books or how they should start their own books (oh, glory), etc.
And wouldn’t you believe it, it still happens today.
Sometimes I welcome it and even encourage it. Some fail (miserably) and go back to reading and appreciating, while others demonstrate a very real talent.
When it bothers me is when someone who I know doesn’t like reading all that much declares s/he is going to write. Or even better, when someone I know is an avid romance novel reader decides s/he is going to write the next breakout crime thriller.
“Have you ever read a crime thriller?”
“Well, no, but I have this great idea -”
It only goes downhill from there.
WRITE WHAT YOU READ.
Writing sucks blood, sweat, tears, alcohol, and cigarette smoke from you. It’s a lonely existence at times with your only friends at that time being the computer, your music, and your sin of choice. You might as well be writing something you actually enjoy if you’re going to make the commitment. Writing something you a.) don’t read and thus b.) don’t know much (if anything) about is only going to lead to a bad story. That is, if you even complete it.
Look at wherever you keep your books. Are there mostly biographies? Mostly sci-fi? Mystery? That should give you a clue as to what you just might should be writing. And if you haven’t read at least fifty books in your chosen genre, don’t talk to me until you have. I don’t care about your grand visions or how good your mom says your story is.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Hmm, I’d actually revise that to “Write the book you WANT to read.”
I love books where the characters jump off the pages and become real. So when I write, that’s what I focus on. Which is a good thing, because I’ve tried writing those really plot-driven books, with the twists and turns and … failed. Miserably. I’m talking hundred-foot flames.
When you want to sit down with your own book and savor it because it’s the kind of book you adore beyond all others, you’ve found your niche.
June 5th, 2007 at 5:40 pm
This is very good advice, both by Jaime and Susan.
I think the point is you need to love books, and reading before you even contemplate sittng down to write. The more fiction I read, the better my short stories seem to be getting.
But, my mum does like my stories, so that’s all that matters
June 5th, 2007 at 7:32 pm
No, Dave, all that matters is that YOU like what you’re producing and showing your mom. The high I get when my groupies and casual fans drop by and react strongly to something I’ve written just pushes me to bigger and better.
June 5th, 2007 at 7:58 pm
You have groupies? man, I want some of those, that would be cool
You’re right, and I do like some of the stuff I write, hell I even like my poetry, and some of that is pants!
June 6th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Yep, I have groupies. At least, that’s what I call my die-hard fans. I have yet to have any sort of sexual adventure with any of them. No offense to any of them, but I hope it doesn’t change. The Tour Manager may not like it. *grin*
Have you heard of the Monday Poetry Train? Come jump on — creativegoddesses.blogspot.com
June 6th, 2007 at 10:04 pm
I’ve heard “write what you know” but not “write what you read.” Learn something new…
I do think that if a sci-fi reader (writer) wanted to stretch a bit and try poetry or romance, why not? The exercise may never end up published, but what is wrong with writing for the sake of writing? A new appreciation for the genre/work may develop - and there is nothing wrong with that.
June 7th, 2007 at 6:21 am
There’s a lot to be said for osmosis.
June 9th, 2007 at 6:56 pm
This was a very good Pet Peeve. I think what Jaime means is we should read the way other people write what we want to write. And also learn about the subjects not only by researching in non-fiction books, but inside stories ^^.
W.
June 10th, 2007 at 2:49 am
I don’t mean to say you should write exactly what you read, but there is a reason the author your reading is in print and your not. Explore your chosen genre and see what works. What doesn’t work is sometimes a grey area, but it will definitely give you some foundation of what does work.
As for straying into other genres, please feel free to do so, but I’ll bet you you’ll stay pretty close to what you read because it’s what you enjoy. Whether you like it or not, the books you read help you to form an image of what a book of that genre should be. I’ve read a lot of romance, a lot more fantasy, a few biographies, and some action and sci-fi. As long as that list is, my writing tends to reflect what I’ve read, no matter how much it seems to be spread out.
I’m glad everyone enjoyed this.