Thursday, August 6, 2009

Reading and Writing…….

We've all heard it. You must read to be a good writer. And it’s true, I get it, really I do. Vicki’s post last week got me thinking…where there is no time to write, when is there time to read?

For me, it’s only before bed. Yeah, not long enough to submerse myself into the escape that I love to read for. And it’s obvious by my TBR pile of at least 200+ books. I keep adding, and at 1 or 2 reads a month, I get further and further behind. Well, the plus there is: I’m supporting my favorite authors (as we all should do - and imagine that - one is here this week).
:-D*

Now I’m saying this, and I am trying to read everyday (still only before I go to bed), but the writing is slowing down or rather, editing right now. I do have a day job and consider writing as my 2nd job (that I’m not getting paid for yet *pout*), but a job none the less. It is not a hobby. I eventually want to be paid for all of this hard work. But reading is a luxury that must sometimes fall by the wayside. It sucks and I don’t like it, but the job (s) come first in my opinion. Or I won't have a house or car - not a good thing because I need to have a job to continually fix my car and my home - but I digress....

Believe it or not, I’m very regimented in my time-management. I have a set number of hours that I write, read and spend with family during the week. I even shut off phone privileges at a certain time, unless it’s an emergency – really .… just ask Vicki. I’m a stickler. Everything has a time and place in my life. There are times I can devote more to one or the other, but generally it’s the same everyday. The weekend is all about writing – but boy do I miss the days of losing myself in a book until it’s completely read and I sigh when it’s over.

Reading helps the writer see a lot of different things: how a talented writer writes, ideas that might be spurred from a simple line or word, sometimes it’s even what not to do. Either way reading helps a writer, it fills the well, as they say.

So I’m off to fill my well…I have an A.R.C. of: Seduce me in Shadow by the fabulously talented Shayla Black, (maybe you've heard of her from somewhere...).

I’ve been dying to read it since I finished the 1st book (Tempt Me With Darkness). And by the sounds of all these surprises - I won't be so special anymore, because she's giving the first three chapters to a few winners this away this week -
LUCKY DUCKS!!! And you won't miss out on anything if you get the 1st one too - which Miss V is generously giving away too. Wow, a lot going on ;-)

So again - I've gone off on a tangent, but I'm pretty sure this will be one of those books where I will stop writing long enough to immerse myself in (It happened with the 1st one - I don't expect this one to be different)
;-D

Leave a comment (or ramble) for more chances to win!!!!!

XOXO
LKap

11 comments:

Fedora said...

I've definitely heard that from other writers--I think reading is definitely something entirely different from writing, and it's satisfying in a completely different way. Glad you've got some great reading ahead! ;)

I'm not quite sure what to pick up today from the TBR--decisions, decisions...

--Fedora

Brandy W said...

Too many books and too little time. Seems to be a theme these days. I'm positive that you'll have a hard time putting down that ARC once you get going.

mslizalou said...

My TBR mountain(really it's now a full bookshelf) is so out of control, I'll never catch up. I'm pretty sure I could go without buying books for the rest of the year and still not read all the books I own in my TBR pile. Of course, that will never happen as I have too many authors I want to support.

Vicki said...

Totally agree with you L. Reading is so important to writers. I remember when I thought I was just too busy to read. I needed to write and reading took time. Then I read Stephen King's book On Writing and yeah, he pretty much let's you know if you don't have time to read, you don't have time to write. The well goes dry as a bone.

Great Post!!!

LKap said...

So....
Fedora - what book did you finally pick out of your pile?

Brandy - I'm positive it will be hard to put down, and I'm looking forward to that ;-)

Liza - Right there with you girl, and as I posted this blog 4 more of the authors I read had book releases this week - crazy. So I'm off to buy more.

V - can't believe you didn't comment on the time management part....LOL

Connie T said...

Does ANYONE ever catch up on their TBR pile??? Definitley not me! It seems for every book I take out of that pile, I add 3 to 4 more.

There just is not enough time to read them all. I get to stay home all day and read if I want and I still can't keep up. LOL!

Bella said...

I am awed by your ability to make a schedule and keep to it. I am one of those people who would rather read than just about anything, and it is dangerous! When I get to work, I "just have to finish this chapter". If I'm into a book, I stay up all night to finish it (which is too oftne, since I still have to get up to go to the aforesaid job, which pays for the books &c.). And, some of my best time with the kid is spent snuggling and reading our respective books. I'll never be sorry I passed on my love of reading to her.

Ah, my TBR pile. Lately the TBB pile is bigger -- budgets [sigh] -- something else I'm not good at.

LOL,
~bella

Judy said...

I couldn't get on your blog yesterday. It was blank for me. I hope I didn't miss much. It is fine today.

Vicki said...

L - I totally forgot to put something about that.

It's true, although I know I can call after the no call time, I also know that I won't unless it's really important. :)

Laurie is great with time management. I want to be like her when I grow up. ;)

Vicki said...

Judy, Yeah, I was having problems with it as well. I'm not sure why, but everything seems to be okay now. Thank the stars.

Fedora said...

I finally pulled out Sarah Mayberry's first Super--A Natural Father (I think that's the name)--it's good so far!

--Fedora