You’ve no doubt heard this one before, good writers – read.  It’s true!  I write mainly women’s fiction, so I do a lot of reading in that genre.  I also read chick lit, mainstream fiction, mysteries, thrillers, romance and much more.  If there’s a book review in the paper or a magazine I have to read it and if the story sounds good, then it goes on my list of things to read.

When I find a particular author I enjoy I tend to read everything they’ve written, but reading debut novels is fun as well.  Sharing any new found book treasures is a must.  Many of my friends and I book swap, and if we’ve gotten the book from the library we make sure and email the title and author around the group.  There is also GoodReads.com, which is a network of book lovers who share what they are reading with each other.

Occasionally films will come out about the lives of authors or based on one of my favorite books.  It’s fun to get a group of writers together to see a matinee and then get coffee and hold a discussion afterward.  Writers have such an interesting way of viewing things.

There are lots of book clubs out there that get together and discuss their favorite stories. (But, you have to read them first.)  Last year there was a statewide event to read My Antonia.  While I didn’t formally join with any group, I did read it and overheard conversations in the grocery store around the story.  That was cool.  It was like being a part of a really BIG book club.

Many of us have a library of unread books that we have collected from friends, book sales at the library, yard sales, and those bought with coupons from the local bookstores (hopefully).    When I’m finished reading and sharing a book I donate it to the library so others can partake of its pages.  The bottom line is – you can never read too many books.  And reading good books will help you become a better writer – PROMISE!

BD