tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post1548072882822838726..comments2024-01-12T00:00:04.996-05:00Comments on The Paper Wait: To Read Or Not To ReadEileen Cameronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03147679493619958932noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-62584823015352960922008-05-12T22:18:00.000-04:002008-05-12T22:18:00.000-04:00For me, reading a lot of a single author/series wo...For me, reading a lot of a single author/series would probably be most worrisome. (My sixth grade winner in the Young Author's Contest was highly influenced by Trixie Belden.) But, when I read so widely in children's literature (which I have to do in my job, with my son and for fun), it doesn't seem likely that any one piece will overly influence my writing. Also, I agree about learning structure from published works and seeing what is currently selling. This is helpful for me both with books and magazines. (And, for the record, I still love series like Shadow Children, Dragon Slayers Academy and Emily K. Windsnap, but now I intersperse these titles with many other books rather than devouring them one after another like I did as a child.)Brianna Caplan Sayreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10137299043891966903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-81477454299543725802008-05-09T16:21:00.000-04:002008-05-09T16:21:00.000-04:00I probably read children's novels vs. adult novels...I probably read children's novels vs. adult novels at a rate of twenty to one. This was not always the case, and the ratio seems to grow larger every year. I simply connect with a well-told, sparsely-written story more than I do a longer, more meandering tale.<BR/><BR/>I don't worry about how reading others' works affects my writing. I hope it does. I hope that by reading and admiring good work, my own writing grows stronger.J.A. Palermohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18325616361174334630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-90635750709007136872008-05-09T11:43:00.000-04:002008-05-09T11:43:00.000-04:00I've been reading a lot of MG fantasy/science fict...I've been reading a lot of MG fantasy/science fiction lately. I think it's more helpful than harmful. It gives me a concrete sense of what sells in the marketplace--what I'm up against. Call me crazy, but since I still hope to sell my book one day, this is not only useful but, I think, critical information. I learn about creating a successful fantasy setting, not to mention the basics like voice, plotting, etc., from these books. I just see it as doing my due diligence. And I make it a rule to steal as little as possible! ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-49576656459736645722008-05-09T10:35:00.000-04:002008-05-09T10:35:00.000-04:00That's one that plagues me as well. I've been rea...That's one that plagues me as well. I've been reading YAs carefully - meaning trying to avoid ones that are most like the ones I write - for the same reasons you mentioned. Unless it's one of my favorite authors, then I'll pick it up. I think that's why I'm into the vampire subject right now - completely not "my thing". I've also been reading YA male authors lately. John Green, M.T. Anderson, and most recently Jay Asher. There's a definite difference between male and female authors.(and not just the obvious, wink, wink) It's an interesting study. I also agree with Gale - reading in my genre (or any I suppose) helps me study structure and how others weave plot threads together (or not!)Robin Constantinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12702857007702547325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-11728915293107510582008-05-09T08:21:00.000-04:002008-05-09T08:21:00.000-04:00Meg,When I was teaching, I read YA all the time an...Meg,<BR/>When I was teaching, I read YA all the time and knew lots about authors. And I can't say many teachers read any children's literature and they all should be. Now that I'm trying to find my own voice, genre, etc. I only read adult -- and several titles at once, and abandon books frequently. Not sure that's a stage of life I'm in where I can't seem to focus, or my overactive, ADD brain, or my lack of tolerance if I'm not into it right away. But that said, I have other questions: what makes a book like Secret Life of Bees (I'm doing a study guide for Penguin now so am rereading it)- an adult novel and not an immediate YA? The protagonist is a 14 year old girl, trying to find out who she is, who her mother was; she takes a journey, etc. I digressed. <BR/>Reading in the genre we write? I'd say, any reading helps us write. LisaLisa Winklerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17103579939710680090noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6265428284848727164.post-71729823054209743442008-05-09T08:20:00.000-04:002008-05-09T08:20:00.000-04:00You have a point - up to a point. I can see your f...You have a point - up to a point. I can see your fear of inadvertently cribbing phrases, descriptions, or dialog. But how about structure? I have always found it helpful to study how someone else develops plot because I know plot is one of my weak points.<BR/>I learn by seeing the various ways to frame a story, whether it is fiction or a picture book.Gale Sypher Jacobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06316827256622168039noreply@blogger.com