Does anyone feel the same way? - Authors.com2024-03-29T13:43:06Zhttp://www.authors.com/forum/topics/does-anyone-feel-the-same-way?commentId=3798404%3AComment%3A130060&feed=yes&xn_auth=noHonestly, I don't keep track…tag:www.authors.com,2012-10-08:3798404:Comment:1567792012-10-08T20:19:30.531ZMatthew Davenporthttp://www.authors.com/profile/MatthewDavenport
<p>Honestly, I don't keep track of which one I do, or set time aside for one or the other. I'm definitely an "as the wind blows" kind of guy. Today I might be in the mood to read, and then half way through a chapter get the bug to sit down and write. Its all on what I'm in the mood for. If I'm not in the mood, I'm not going to make myself do it. The good news is that I don't do much of anything else, so at the very least, its always either writing or reading.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don't keep track of which one I do, or set time aside for one or the other. I'm definitely an "as the wind blows" kind of guy. Today I might be in the mood to read, and then half way through a chapter get the bug to sit down and write. Its all on what I'm in the mood for. If I'm not in the mood, I'm not going to make myself do it. The good news is that I don't do much of anything else, so at the very least, its always either writing or reading.</p> Hi there GD,
I guess the answ…tag:www.authors.com,2012-07-06:3798404:Comment:1401942012-07-06T11:43:18.638ZDavid Anthony Tromanhttp://www.authors.com/profile/DavidAnthonyTroman
<p>Hi there GD,</p>
<p>I guess the answer for me is that it depends on what you are writing and what you are reading. I started writing back in 2004 and initially wrote only poetry. I then stated writing short stories as well a couple of years later. Like you I have a full time job, as a design engineer, which takes up most of my time. I also have health issues which mean that i sleep for an awful lot of hours too in order to re-charge my batteries so that I can mange to do the hours at work. I…</p>
<p>Hi there GD,</p>
<p>I guess the answer for me is that it depends on what you are writing and what you are reading. I started writing back in 2004 and initially wrote only poetry. I then stated writing short stories as well a couple of years later. Like you I have a full time job, as a design engineer, which takes up most of my time. I also have health issues which mean that i sleep for an awful lot of hours too in order to re-charge my batteries so that I can mange to do the hours at work. I have 3 kids and 3 grandkids who are all gorgeous and I spend as much time as possible with them. what I have found over time is that when I was just writing all the time, which I did for the best part of 4 years, my writing didn't really progress because I was writing at the same standard on different subjects. I then started to read more short stories because that helped me to work out what was being read in that market. I still wasn't getting anywhere with my poetry in terms of publication and couldn't understand why until I picked up a couple of contemporary poetry magazines and realised that I couldn't understand any of the poems in them. That was when it dawned on me that I needed to read a lot more contemporary poetry to understand what is currently deemed publishable. I now read avidy and find that although I am writing a lesser volume of poems myself, the ones that I do write are generally meeting with greater acceptance and I am gradually getting published in magazines as well as claiming joint 4th prize in last year's Hastings Internaional Poetry Competition. In conclusion my advice would be that you do need a balance of reading and writing to provide you with a reality check that what you are producing has at least some publication potential.</p>
<p>All best wishes</p>
<p>Dave</p>
<p></p> From my perspective and from…tag:www.authors.com,2012-06-07:3798404:Comment:1366902012-06-07T17:06:27.714ZSarah Moorehttp://www.authors.com/profile/SarahMoore
<p>From my perspective and from what's been drilled into my head from years of professors and other professionals, "great readers make great writers". But that being said, the two do not necessarily happen at the same time. I know that when I am in the middle of a really great book, or two, or three, my writing is affected by it. When writing it works best for me to focus only on what I am writing and put the reading aside for the time being. The last thing I want is for plots, themes or…</p>
<p>From my perspective and from what's been drilled into my head from years of professors and other professionals, "great readers make great writers". But that being said, the two do not necessarily happen at the same time. I know that when I am in the middle of a really great book, or two, or three, my writing is affected by it. When writing it works best for me to focus only on what I am writing and put the reading aside for the time being. The last thing I want is for plots, themes or characters from what I'm reading make appearances in what I'm writing. The whole process is a very personal one and truly unique for each person. Finds what works for you then go with it.</p>
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<p></p> Attention, writers: Please ta…tag:www.authors.com,2012-06-06:3798404:Comment:1367612012-06-06T19:13:28.182ZStephanie Qhttp://www.authors.com/profile/StephanieQ
<p>Attention, writers: Please take this 9-question survey <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3WGRPVX">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3WGRPVX</a>. It'll only take 30 seconds. Thank you!</p>
<p>Attention, writers: Please take this 9-question survey <a href="http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3WGRPVX">http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3WGRPVX</a>. It'll only take 30 seconds. Thank you!</p> I can only say that, for me,…tag:www.authors.com,2012-06-06:3798404:Comment:1366622012-06-06T15:18:26.840ZPatricia Gligorhttp://www.authors.com/profile/PatriciaGligor
<p>I can only say that, for me, I <em>have to make time</em> to read every day. I started out as a reader long before I actually became a writer. I love a mystery; that's what I read and that's what I write. I can't imagine doing it any other way</p>
<p>I can only say that, for me, I <em>have to make time</em> to read every day. I started out as a reader long before I actually became a writer. I love a mystery; that's what I read and that's what I write. I can't imagine doing it any other way</p> I live with a reader like you…tag:www.authors.com,2012-06-03:3798404:Comment:1361402012-06-03T13:52:31.825ZLibby Bellehttp://www.authors.com/profile/LibbyBelleBryer
<p>I live with a reader like you, Stacy. He panics if he has nothing to scan while idle. I just wonder what you guys do with all that info. One thing for certain, he is a wonderful conversationalist - he knows a little about everything. I like Cleveland's post. I think more than either, myself. Truth is, I'd rather write than think. Thinking is highly over-rated! And Garry, hang in there bud! As for Steven King . . . phooey! Jack, keep writing - it makes us better people.</p>
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<p>I live with a reader like you, Stacy. He panics if he has nothing to scan while idle. I just wonder what you guys do with all that info. One thing for certain, he is a wonderful conversationalist - he knows a little about everything. I like Cleveland's post. I think more than either, myself. Truth is, I'd rather write than think. Thinking is highly over-rated! And Garry, hang in there bud! As for Steven King . . . phooey! Jack, keep writing - it makes us better people.</p>
<p> </p> Like many of you here - I wor…tag:www.authors.com,2012-06-02:3798404:Comment:1363632012-06-02T18:14:47.789ZStacy Eatonhttp://www.authors.com/profile/StacyEaton
<p>Like many of you here - I work a full time job - but my job isn't 9-5 - its 13-16 hours away from home on a rotating schedule - a couple weeks of days - a couple weeks of nights. Then I own my own business - I take Tae Kwon Do - I have a husband who works the same crazy schedule I do and an 8 year old girl at home. I market constantly, and spend a lot of time helping other authors learn to market and build a platform. I had 2 books published last year - one about to launch July 13th - and…</p>
<p>Like many of you here - I work a full time job - but my job isn't 9-5 - its 13-16 hours away from home on a rotating schedule - a couple weeks of days - a couple weeks of nights. Then I own my own business - I take Tae Kwon Do - I have a husband who works the same crazy schedule I do and an 8 year old girl at home. I market constantly, and spend a lot of time helping other authors learn to market and build a platform. I had 2 books published last year - one about to launch July 13th - and 7 more on the table in progress. And guess what... I read...</p>
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<p>I read like 3-4 books a week. In my genre - out of my genre (I cross genre's so to me it does not matter). I read what I want. I never watch television - while my family is chilling next to me - I have my kindle on. I carry it with me everywhere - If I am stuck someplace and have to wait a few minutes - I turn it one and get a few pages read. During meal time at work, I sit and read a chapter. Waiting for my daughter to get out of school, I sit and read a few minutes.</p>
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<p>I do not think it really matters if you have to be a reader to be a writer - but I know that if you are a reader - then you read - how often and where are up to you.</p> I've got forty plus years of…tag:www.authors.com,2012-05-25:3798404:Comment:1352622012-05-25T14:11:46.421ZJack Prendergasthttp://www.authors.com/profile/JackPrendergast
<p>I've got forty plus years of avid reading under my belt. Writing came late, and like yourself, a budding writer cannot serve two masters. Much as I would love to resume the sheer pleasure of reading a book for entertainment, certain factors mean that I simply cannot find the time nor the energy; not to mention the extra strain it puts on my eyes. Whaddya gonna do?</p>
<p>I too have to get out there and bring home the bacon, which doesn't help with the energy and concentration required to…</p>
<p>I've got forty plus years of avid reading under my belt. Writing came late, and like yourself, a budding writer cannot serve two masters. Much as I would love to resume the sheer pleasure of reading a book for entertainment, certain factors mean that I simply cannot find the time nor the energy; not to mention the extra strain it puts on my eyes. Whaddya gonna do?</p>
<p>I too have to get out there and bring home the bacon, which doesn't help with the energy and concentration required to buckle down to serious writing. You're very perceptive when you admit to being just one of thousands; I'm in the same boat. I guess we need to remind ourselves that we should only indulge our passion through a genuine love of writing for writing's sake. Writing cynically to make money will show in our work as surely as formulaic, suit the market song writing will turn off genuine music fans. (Sigh)</p>
<p>This is a tough gig, but take heart ... ya gotta believe that cream will eventually rise to the top; meanwhile,</p>
<p>write on, bro ... write on...</p> Hi, I'm a newby on here and q…tag:www.authors.com,2012-05-14:3798404:Comment:1347512012-05-14T19:18:15.830ZLibby Bellehttp://www.authors.com/profile/LibbyBelleBryer
<p>Hi, I'm a newby on here and questions like yours I have pondered. Fortunately for me, I have a sounding board (sidekick) that keeps me grounded about things that seem to get in the way like reading all the latest works, articles, etc. I don't want all of that in my head, and frankly, can't remember most of what I read or watch. I guess I'm the audience . . . I read for enjoyment and sure don't want to read to compare my writing with others or worse, convince myself that I'm not good…</p>
<p>Hi, I'm a newby on here and questions like yours I have pondered. Fortunately for me, I have a sounding board (sidekick) that keeps me grounded about things that seem to get in the way like reading all the latest works, articles, etc. I don't want all of that in my head, and frankly, can't remember most of what I read or watch. I guess I'm the audience . . . I read for enjoyment and sure don't want to read to compare my writing with others or worse, convince myself that I'm not good enough. I'm learning daily that we read according to our moods. So, if you're in the mood to read, by golly do it. If you're in the mood to write, do it. If your in the mood for sex, ice cream . . . you get my drift. </p> Steven King says you must be…tag:www.authors.com,2012-05-14:3798404:Comment:1345062012-05-14T10:51:10.185ZSean Noonanhttp://www.authors.com/profile/SeanNoonan
<p>Steven King says you must be an avid reader and a writer.</p>
<p>But each to their own, we all have our lives to lead and time does seem in short supply for all what an author needs to do. Just persevere and be determined. Keep your eye on the goal and be aware most successful authors took years to be recognised. Love what you do and be grateful for the opportunity to share yourself with the world.</p>
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<p>I read before going to sleep and when travelling, which I do a lot, but if I am…</p>
<p>Steven King says you must be an avid reader and a writer.</p>
<p>But each to their own, we all have our lives to lead and time does seem in short supply for all what an author needs to do. Just persevere and be determined. Keep your eye on the goal and be aware most successful authors took years to be recognised. Love what you do and be grateful for the opportunity to share yourself with the world.</p>
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<p>I read before going to sleep and when travelling, which I do a lot, but if I am in writing mode (full on focus) I am committed to the writing and all other books must wait. The characters in my stories wouldn't allow anything else! There would be a revolt in the back of my head, probably lead by Grumphspawn the Great Wizard himself.</p>
<p>I am finishing up book four now and have another 8 to go... Just as well its fun.</p>
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<p>Good luck and keep writing</p>
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<p>Sean</p>