Created and hosted by the Ninja himself, Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writers Support Group posts the 1st Wednesday of every month. Click the image to learn more or sign up.
Monthly Question: How has being a writer changed your experience as a reader?
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Being a writer has turned me into a hungry reader. I used to just read to escape and or enjoy a good story. Now when I read, I want more. I want to be inspired. I want to learn. I want to see what does and doesn’t work. I want to experience the stories, good or bad, to better my own writing.
I still read for pure enjoyment, but now I also read for review and critique. I find that while I’m more critical over plot, character, and world development, I’ve become more compassionate about all the technical stuff. I don’t ignore or make excuses for outright bad writing and poor editing, but I recognize how difficult it is to find good, reliable, and affordable editing services as an indie; and don’t get me started on critique partners and support groups. Anyone can call him or herself a writer, but to be a good writer- to be an author- it takes determination and creativity that not everyone has.
Being a writer has made me truly respect all the books I’ve always loved. If you’d like to know more about my thoughts on reading, please consider following this blog (I post reviews twice a month) and checking out my You Tube channel.
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Has being a writer changed your reading experience?
Live in or near Hampton Roads? Please check out my giveaway on the side panel.
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After hanging out with Alex, be sure to stop by and visit this month’s co-hosts:
Misha Gericke,
LK Hill,
Juneta Key,
Christy, and
Joylene Buter!!
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Click here to visit other IWSG blogs and sites to receive and share more inspiration and support. (This month, I’m #69).
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords
18 replies on “#IWSG February 2017: “Being a writer changes how you read” & my #YouTube channel.”
I haven’t gotten to the point where writing makes me look at books differently, to any great amount. However, I believe I understand it … I used to do a lot of acting on stage, and the way I look at a performance has definitely changed!
Acting is a creative outlet that I’ve never really tried. It’s difficult for me to pretend to be something that I’m not, but becoming something else temporarily and make it seem real, is a true talent. I can see how what you write and or read could effect that.
Toi,
I love your idea about reaching out through YouTube. You Go, Girl! That is something I would like to try out myself.
I too am a hungry reader. Just don’t have the time to read as often as I would like to..
Great post.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat
Thanks Pat. I needed to hear that. I’ve actually been told by other authors that my You Tube channel is a waste of time. Apparently people who watch You Tube don’t read and vice versa. Even if that nonsense was true, my channel is about branding me and connecting with others. It’s not all about sell, sell, sell.
Being a writer has not changed how much I read, but it has made me much more appreciative of good books too. Great idea with YouTube. It is the media choice of the new generation! 🙂
Thank you for stopping by. I really do hope to make some connections on You Tube.
I really like your attitude. You’ve turned the experience into a positive and learned from it.
I find that it’s easier to learn something than to fight it.
I feel ya. I’ve even found myself disappointed if a story doesn’t have deep symbolism or Awesome connection points. Not that I condemn the writer if it doesn’t. It takes skill that I don’t think I’ve mastered quite yet. But like you, I try to use what I read to better my own writing. Great post!
Thanks for that. I think as human beings we have to challenge ourselves somehow, to enhance our lives, and since I’m a writer, I challenge myself with what I’m writing and reading.
Nice post. So far, I seem to be able to turn it on and off–I can read with my ‘author hat’ on, looking at how the story is constructed, etc. But I also do an awful lot of reading that’s purely for the sake of immersing myself in a story and forgetting the world (of course, if it doesn’t work, I’m very apt to sit and analyze why not!).
P.S. Thanks for running the giveaway a while back…Susan K. was really happy about getting the gift!
I was happy to do that giveaway. Glad she got it.
I’m more critical on the composition of a sentence now, but if the characters and voice are great, I’ll totally let all that slide. 🙂 I guess I can be carefree sometimes.
I get that. If the story is really good, a lot can be forgivable… can be.
Love your attitude about reading. Your video was great. You’re so cute. *waves back*
Happy IWSG Belated Day!
Juneta @ Writer’s Gambit
Thanks for stopping by Juneta. Glad you liked my video.
So true. I also found that once I began writing, I started understanding why my favourite novels were a cut above the rest. Your youtube is awesome. What a great idea to give your readers a chance to see you, the person.
Thanks for the kind words. I figure if I can’t reach everyone on my blog, I should reach out in other ways.