Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner Sandra Cox, and Louise – Fundy Blue!

January 6 question – Being a writer, when you’re reading someone else’s work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people’s books?

I’m not sure that being a writer is what makes the difference between sticking with a story and nope.

As a writer, I’m more likely to find myself reading unpolished work, or work from beginners than I would as a general reader. There are a lot of different skill levels among my friends.

If I’m reading an unfinished piece of work, I usually stop when I realize there’s nothing more I can do for the writer. Needs structural editing? Did the grandmother die (unintentionally) three different times? Well, that’s where I tell the person it needs structural editing.

There’s no point in forcing my way through so I can adjust punctuation.

In published works? Well, it’s been a while since I stopped reading something. I do tend to be pretty careful with my selections, though.

**glances at to read list**

To be fair, I think most of the books I stop reading are ones that I didn’t choose for myself, in the first place. For instance, I’m still fighting my way through that list of prize winners. Some of the books just flew. Others were not what I would pick out individually for myself, and they just… stare at me.