March 3 question – Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
I tend to read in batches. I’ll read in one particular genre for a while before I switch to something else. So, if I’m reading romance, I’m really, really reading romance. A lot of it. I skip around and read different genres over time, but usually more than one of each in a row. I also tend to read a lot of non-fiction. I love non-fiction. There’s always some weird topic I can’t resist diving into.
What motivates my choice?
I’m sure there was a reason, once. Right now, it’s whatever whim hits me at the moment. There’s not a lot of research that goes into the first draft of my work. Maybe a little bit more, once I figure out what it is I need to know. [Sciency Stuff Goes Here.] Eventually, I’ll hit the end of the book, and realize I need the words to explain how you do all that stuff in the middle, but until then? The boulder is rolling back down the hill, my friends.
I’ll read what interests me, and generally in genres that are strong in areas I feel insecure about. (Yup. There’s that fascination with romance, again.) So… how exactly do you describe physical sensations that don’t involve skin blistering chemical burns? Okay. Yeah. Uhm…. maybe I’ll just add some more acid.
And then… I’m not sure if I should admit it, but I read a lot of audiobooks while I’m at work. Which means that I’m always looking for a bargain. My preferred ratio is 50 cents or less an hour. The downside is that I’m usually not reading the newest releases. The plus side is that I wind up with a lot more variety in my reading diet.
Oh, yes… and I’m supposed to be beta reading some chapters for a friend right now…
Click this Fabulous Affiliate link to buy my favorite writing class while it’s still on sale. You get a bargain, and I get paid for sending you over!
In the meantime, let me know how you choose your books, or how they choose you.
Natalie Aguirre
Loni Townsend
S.E. White