Wednesday, April 2, 2008

When you read for enjoyment, do you?

When you read for enjoyment, (providing you still do), do you find yourself
critiquing like a writer, or do you just enjoy the story?

Do you find yourself feeling 'guilty' reading, in that you feel like you
should be writing?

Do you worry you might 'internalize' what you read and some how use it in
your own writing?

6 comments:

Tia Nevitt said...

First question? Yes. I still enjoy it.

Second question? No. Writers must read in order to write well.

Third question? I used to, but I have my own voice now and I no longer fear this. But I used to write just like T. H. White.

Good questions!

Kristy Baxter said...

1. I still enjoy, but it has to take something really good to turn off my inner critiquer. This is why, when I find a book that does this, I read it several times.

2. I just tell myself it's research =)

3. Used to, don't anymore.

Good topic and great questions!

Carole McDonnell said...

I generally don't read for enjoyment but when I do read...non-fiction generally. Or cultural analysis/review pieces. -C

Lisa said...

The worst thing I'll do when reading is if I see the author do write in such a way that I've been told to avoid. Being the youngest of 10 children, I rather think 'Hey, why did they get away with that."

Tia Nevitt said...

Youngest of 10?? Wow! I thought my family was large with five of us!

Lisa said...

Tia - really makes for fun family gatherings!