Reading as a Writer
I wrote recently about the wonderful world of smut.
Though my electronic bookshelves are filled with such books, it is not the only genre I stick to. I find that as a writer it is imperative to be a voracious reader. Not just in your own genre but across the board. There are so many authors and books from which we can be inspired from.
As of late, I have been exploring the mystery genre more. This might have to do with one too many Murder She Wrote episodes and the discovery of Marple (the TV series that is) but it’s been exciting nonetheless to dive into something I am not used to reading. A thriller or suspense makes its way into my hands every now and then but mysteries have never been high on my list. I can’t say why because reading my first Agatha Christie seems shameful now this late in the game. Murder at the Vicarage is such a delight, and I’ll never get over the irony in that. Cozy murder mysteries are something I never even fathomed yet my TBR is flooded with them as of late.
Branching Out
There really is never enough time to devote to reading, but as much as I would like to get a handle on where to put that damn oxford comma, I know the biggest aid in my writing is reading other writers in all genres. Seeing what they do and being inspired while I find my own voice is incredibly invaluable in my opinion.
It can be difficult at times to branch out though, especially when reading, for many of us, is used as an escape from the everyday. However, there has been an unexpected joy in reading outside my comfort zone as a writer these last few months, and my writer’s block thanks me immensely for it.
If you haven’t enjoyed a mystery in a while here are a few that I am currently seeking out: