IWSG: Reading Genres

 

 

The awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah – The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!

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…

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How to Revise Your Novel Cover Art

You know you want to…

In the meantime, let me know how you choose your books, or how they choose you.

3 Comments

  1. Reply

    I wish I liked reading more nonfiction, but I mostly read a wide range of genres and age groups. That’s great that you’re able to listen to books in audio version while you work. I’m a contract writer so that wouldn’t work for me.

  2. Loni Townsend

    Reply

    I spend a lot of time searching my local library’s OverDrive for audiobooks. That’s how I consume most of my books. Occasionally I’ll read words on a page, especially when I’m reading to my children or reading nonfiction. But there’s a lot of less-known or indie stuff that I don’t manage to get to because it just isn’t available in audiobook.

  3. Reply

    Lots of mood reading! Yep, this sounds familiar. I’ve learned over the years that I just can not force it. If I’m not in the mood for a particular genre, I will not enjoy the book even if I would have loved it during that particular mood. It’s easier to just go with the flow. And yes, nonfiction rabbit holes are my favorite things. Right now I’m all about that shipwrecks and survival. Island of the Lost by Joan Druett was a fantastic read

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