Like, when you finish reading an amazingly brilliant novel that has won lots and lots of awards, you can't just think to yourself: "Wow, that was a fantastic book." Instead, you think to yourself: "Why can't I be that brilliant? How do they manage this brilliance? Can I steal this writer's brain? Did this writer make a deal with the devil? Can I make a similar deal? What is the secret? I will never be this great, might as well give up now!"
Or, when you finish reading an amazingly terrible novel that has sold lots and lots of copies, you can't just think to yourself: "Wow, wasted three hours of my life there." Instead, you think to yourself: "How come I can't write books that sell seventy billion copies? They don't seem that complicated! What's the secret? Why am I so bad at cliff-hangers? I will never sell this well, might as well give up now!"
It's just demoralising, frankly. The answer, of course, is to always read books that you think are perfectly average, with perfectly average sales, and with a perfectly average number of fans, and then you don't feel bad for not being brilliant or for not selling well enough or for not being universally adored. Which makes no sense whatsoever because what's the point of reading if it isn't finding stories you love?
Hopefully I am not the only one who unnecessarily does this "I wish I was a literary genius" bit every time I read a good book. If you have advice for those attempting to read while being a writer (how could I not! I'd rather not be reduced to reading textbooks and cereal boxes), do share.
Instead of beating myself up after I read an incredible book, I usually try to ask myself why I liked the book so much and study the techniques the author used to keep me turning the pages. Maybe that could help? ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you! I should definitely try that.
DeleteAs weird as it sounds, the longer I write, the less I am like this. Now that I know the work that goes into writing books, I am more and more aware of others' skills that I just don't have -- even with books that aren't necessarily my preference. When I encounter books that aren't my thing, I know there are people out there who will love it.
ReplyDeleteI know there are people who see your skills and admire them, too.
Thanks for the advice! I do hope it changes with time. :)
DeleteGreat post, when I read a great book, I get so pumped up and in my mind i have already written the continuation of the book, but by the second day that excitement dims, that's how I test a potential WIP lol, if I don't like a book, to be honest I can't continue and put the book back on the shelve or return it back to my local library, sometimes I may get back to that book, because its like a failure for me if I don't finish a book, I agree with Caroline the more I write the more writing becomes me, my style, my weirdness lol reading does help me hone my craft but I want to eventually merge into what feels comfortable for me, because I realize so many things determine a successful book and many times it still doesn't make sense to me so to me no point trying to figure out the formula the formula why a book works and keep at my own writing and expect the worst but hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I always feel like I'm missing out on something if I stop reading a book I don't like midway through, too.
DeleteTry to remember when you have moments like that - there are people out there (such as myself) who read your book and go "what am i doing wrong?" But in a not-too-hard-on-myself way because I think it's nice when other people succeed at something they put a lot of effort into. Even though I'm sixteen and a half and probably won't have two novels out in my teens, that is probably because since starting year eleven I've probably averaged about half a word a day!!
ReplyDeleteI hate the idea that people feel bad when they compare their work to my work! (There are probably people I am jealous of the writing of who are jealous of me at the same time. Which is so weird! Why does anyone need to be jealous? Being human. It's terrible.)
DeleteAs wonderful as being a published writer is, the writing part is still the very best part. Good luck with managing year 11 & writing!
I think this! My thoughts usually follow the: "Can I steal this writer's brain?"
ReplyDeleteSuch a pity it's not legal! :)
DeleteMaybe you should try to remember that the authors you adore have these thoughts as well and there is nothing wrong with being bad at cliff-hangers :). Does anyone like them? I don't, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you :) I don't particularly like them but it seems all of the very successful novels have them. They do certainly keep me reading.
DeleteHi Steph,
ReplyDeleteI like what you are doing, bring a voice to the teenagers from a teenager. I've included you in my twitter campaign: Good News about Teenagers @rayericksonlcsw. Thought you might like to know.
Ray Erickson, LCSW
Imagination Without Limits
www.rayerickson.com
Thank you!
DeleteHah, when I read the title I thought the post was going to be something about compulsively analysing story structures while reading and/or the characters in your head distracting you while you read so that you can't concentrate on a word (wait, I'm the only one who does that?). xD Strangely I can't ever remember feeling like this...I definitely recommend what Tessa said though, that's what I naturally do when I finish a good book and it's quite fun too! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd just remember you *are* a literary genius already in many people's eyes ;)
aw, thanks Wendy!
DeleteI do get distracted by my own ideas and characters while reading, because I'm often inspired in the middle of someone else's story! That is a problem for me, too. :)