Now, I bet you’re thinking: hold on a minute. This guy loves reading, so why is he moaning about it? Well, it’s not really a moan just more of observation or two, of the sort of issues you might come up against if you are an avid reader like me. Read on to see if you recognize any of them.
You start to think in the protagonist’s voice
Have you ever read a book so well written, that after immersing yourself in said book for hours on end, you start to think of the protagonist’s voice?
Not in a multiple personalities sort of way. But in the way that the author has done such a good job at creating the inner world of this character. So good, in fact, that you can see how he or she would respond to the situations in front of you? It’s fun and confusing all at once!
You start to write in the author’s style
Some folks are lucky enough to get to do a little writing either for fun or as part of their jobs. But they can come a cropper when they have been reading a smart pacy thriller like Penalties by Stephen Leather or The Fireman by Joe Hill. As they then start to write in the author’s voice and not their own.
Especially if you are creating is a financial report or a note to your children teacher! So watch out for style seeping in everyday day life!
You think I could do that!
Well, they do say that everyone has an at least one novel inside of them! Apparently, it’s just having the time and motivation to sit down and actually get it out, that is hard. In fact, when you read voraciously it is common to start to get the feeling that you could, in fact, create your own masterpiece. After all these guys have done, it haven’t they?
Well, I say go for it! You never know where it’s going to take you. You could make your fame and fortune. Or you could just have a great time putting your ideas and concepts together to form a coherent whole. Either way, it’s a worthwhile exercise.
Of course, not everyone in the world is a naturally gifted writer. In fact, as Stephen King says, writing is a skill that you can learn, just like any other. So take a course or two like the one offered by Writers Workshop. Or join an online group like Nanowrimo, just don’t be too hard on yourself on your first couple of attempts.
You get super sad when one book finishes
End of book grief is a real thing, people! It’s especially hard on those of us that read as a form of escapism and get immersed in the world of characters between those pages.
It’s a terrible juxtaposition when you know you’ve only got a few pages to go, and you want to know what happens in the end. But you are dreading finishing at the same time!
Then you are going to have to go through all of you saved samples on the Kindle, and the recommendations list online to find you next gripping read! I know, I know Sometimes being an avid reader is tough!
Image sources:
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