by Gretchen Lee Bourquin
Member since:
January 8, 2006

Writing Discussion: How Does Your Writing Shape Your Reading?

May 01, 2009 07:28 AM EDT
views: 76 | comments: 22

When I was writing my novel, No Sensible People I looked to read fiction that would draw me closer to my own story. I picked Faith Sullivan's The Cape Ann and The Empress of One, Ellen Foster by Kaye Gibbons, and reread Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird.

The current novel -- which is the prequel to No Sensible People, is set mostly in a rural environment. I'm reading Leif Enger's Peace Like A River, and I recently read his brother Lin's book Undiscovered Country. I read other things too, of course, but I am keeping a special eye out for Midwestern rural fiction.

Does anyone else make a conscious decision to form a "relationship" between their writing and reading?

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Comments: 22

Rae M. May 1, 2009, 7:32am EDT
I seem to be doing more self help and how to writing these. I guess in a way what I read reflects this, but I consider it more fact checking and research. The literature I read is for pure enjoyment.
Gretchen Lee Bourquin May 1, 2009, 7:37am EDT
Thanks Rae. Since I write fiction, I look at choosing my fiction books as a sort of "aesthetic research" in a way. Although sometimes I do need something completely different.
Rob Appell May 1, 2009, 8:33am EDT
I don't fit the mold when it comes to anything. Reading - I hate to read. I don't like anything longer than a few paragraphs. Some magazine and newspaper articles are too long for me. When it write, I tend to be very long-winded. I can take a full paragraph just to say hello.
Nancy Biri May 1, 2009, 9:46am EDT
I'm not a writer so I might not be any help
Yes I do. I prefer to write about my own life, so I tend to read mostly memoir books.
A. F. Stewart May 1, 2009, 10:06am EDT
I'm not sure if it's a conscious decision, but my reading preferences tend to match the type of fiction I write.
Kimber L. May 1, 2009, 10:28am EDT
I don't - I am afraid my subconscious will pick up what i am reading and trick me into thinking it is my own ideas. NOPE I keep my writing and reading as separate as possible. I read so many different genres doing this is not an issue at all for me.
Marilyn M. May 1, 2009, 10:32am EDT
No. At any one time, I'm usually reading 4-6 books of all kinds.
Angela A. May 1, 2009, 11:20am EDT
Well, since I only read romance, and write romance, you bet your sweet bippy that I do!
The books I've read, and they're numerous to much to name, have helped shape, help me understand the components needed to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
And, of course, they help with certain historical facts for my Regency romances.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. May 1, 2009, 11:29am EDT
No, my writing doesn't generally influence what I read. However, the large amounts of reading that I have done over the years have certainly influenced my writing.
ZlS Publishing May 1, 2009, 12:32pm EDT
Yes it does. I learned how to write better by reading authors that I enjoyed. I think reading makes you a better writer. I read all sorts of books but if I'm writing a crime thriller, I tend to read those books especially to get some great inspiration.
Richard Frisbie May 1, 2009, 12:33pm EDT
Yes - at first unconsciously, then determinedly - I no longer read fiction, especially fiction masquerading as historical.
Simon T. May 1, 2009, 3:42pm EDT
No Gretchen, I especially won't make a conscious decision to form a "relationship" between my writing and reading? When I was writing my first novel, a very wise friend, Stella said:

1. Don't try to mimic any other successful writers. Their unique style is what made them great. It’s your voice, keep it your own.

2. Write from the heart.

The rest is magic.
Gretchen Lee Bourquin May 1, 2009, 4:03pm EDT
A "relationship" and mimicking are not the same thing. It's simply recognizing the strengths of other writers. In my current novel there are a handful of scenes where two of my characters go hunting in Bemidji -- a necessary component of the plot. Both Enger novels handle this and the whole "northwoods man" relationships very well. I could not mimick them in a million years, but seeking inspiration from their subtext is a different story. My story is my own, as is my voice
Randall C. May 1, 2009, 4:33pm EDT
No, I don't make a conscious effort to.
Nancy L. May 1, 2009, 6:11pm EDT
I don't make a conscious decision to relate my writing and reading unless I'm stuck and need to take a break and read something wonderful to hopefully recharge my batteries.
Sheila Deeth May 1, 2009, 8:19pm EDT
I'm not sure I make any conscious decision. I usually read several books at once, and which one I pick up depends on which room I'm in and what else is going on. Meanwhile I'm usually writing several at once as well, and which one I work on depends on how big a chunk of time I've got.
Cheryl W. May 1, 2009, 8:48pm EDT
In regard to writing poetry, I find that what I read often influences the type of poem I will write. As far as my short stories go, they seem to come from nowhere in particular...and I do not consciously read anything similar...
Donna S. May 2, 2009, 10:11am EDT
I write from my experiences . Sometimes when I read I find authors that they might write like I do. When I write poetry it just comes to me like a rush of strong wind, and I have to jot it down quickly before it blows away.
michele v May 2, 2009, 8:28pm EDT
Interesting, I never thought about it.
Lady of Lake Merritt =P Jul 22, 2009, 8:26pm EDT
I've never made a conscious decision to form a "relationship" between their writing and reading but now I think I may start.
George G. Aug 25, 2009, 9:29pm EDT
Reading expands our horizons. When we read, we are reading new ideas, new perspectives and reach new conclusions. Read more to writer better.

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