The need to read

There is at least one piece of writing advice that is universal: if you want to be a writer, read.

Different schools of thought prescribe different genres to read. Some say you should read the best in your genre. Some say you should read the best literary masterpieces the world has to offer. And, some say you should read everything you can get your hands on. I lean towards the last piece of advice, because everyone has their own opinions on what the "best" is. Also, if you want to make money on writing, chances are you're going to be writing commercial fiction. Bad commercial fiction can be a good example of what not to do.

The other night, I was reading Jack Ketchum's The Offspring. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down. I read all 200+ pages in three hours. And, the reason for the need to read was suddenly clear.

I've written manuscripts before. I've even finished them. But, I've never been so involved with a WiP as I am with my current one. And, while I was reading the novel, a ton of things in my own novel became clear. Like, I need more blood. My villains need to be more ominous and creepy. There need to be more scenes that describe what's going on with the main character's thoughts and feelings.

Some of these were suggestions I received from beta readers, but it took a horror novel to make everything click into place.

In the world of horror fiction, Ketchum is a god. Stephen King has pretty much bowed before the mind that creates mazes of psychological and gory horror. But, in the world of literary fiction, he isn't even a blip on the screen.

So, read often. Read as much material as you can. And, don't be a snob about it. You never know what will inspire you to be better until you've taken a chance.

Comments

[Alexa28re]

People that want get a success find a trustworthy essay writing service to purchase their good essay at. These things I do as well.