Writing hurts reading

Here's a short list of things I've noticed about writing and reading and how they affect each other:

• Since I started writing that I can't read nearly as much anymore. Much of the free time I used to spend reading is now used for writing. It's odd, because I miss tearing through book after book.
• Something else that bugs me is that when I'm reading now, I'll notice things I never did before. I used to read for pure enjoyment, and while I still enjoy it, the writing tips I've picked up affect my reading. I notice "saidisms," overuse of adverbs, and plot contrivances. It's an interesting experience.
• To keep myself motivated while writing, I have to read. Reading books inspires me, even if they have nothing to do with my current WIP.

Reading, wRiting, but no 'Rithmetic

I read a lot. Baseball forums, publishing blogs, video game forums, news stories, and humor sites. Oh, and books. Lots and lots of books. I'd say about 99% of the books I read are fiction, but it's hard to define them past that. There are a few genres I don't read: Romance, Westerns, Women's Literature. But just about everything else is fair game. I am most partial to Epic Fantasy, and speculative fiction in general. For those who might not know, speculative fiction is Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror. This is the genre I write in the most. But I also enjoy a good legal drama, or mystery (sometimes even cozies), or thriller.

People always ask me how many books I read. I really can't say, because I devour them. Just making a WAG, I usually say 3-5 books a week, and I think that's fairly accurate. I love to read, obviously. This love of reading is what led me to writing. In the past 5 years or so, I kept imaging plotlines for books, wishing somebody would write what I was thinking. In the past year, I decided that nobody was going to magically pull these great ideas out of my mind unless it was me, so I took pen to paper and embarked on a journey that has already proven to be strange.

Writing is much more difficult than reading, but far more rewarding, also. The sense of accomplishment when I finished the first draft of Jack O' Lantern was incredible. Ask just about anybody on the street, and I'd wager that at least 75% would say that would like to write a novel, and believe they can do it. How many actually do? Probably something like 1-2%. I've done it, and it's a great feeling.

Of course, maybe 1-2% of those novels that are written actually get published. That's where the balloon pops and the pride goes rushing out. Will I be one of the 1-2%? I certainly hope so! But only time will tell.

Books I've read this year

Inspired by my "What I'm Reading" blurb on the sidebar, this entry will serve as an ongoing log of all books I read this year, starting from a few days ago. You can jump to this post easily as times goes on by clicking on the link in the "What I'm Reading" blurb.

1. The Appeal by John Grisham
2. Paths of Glory by Jeffrey Archer
3. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
4. Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scott Card
5. The Associate by John Grisham
6. The Writer's Art by James J. Kilpatrick
7. How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
8. Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey
9. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print, 2nd edition by Renni Browne & Dave King
10. Magic Street by Orson Scott Card

11. The Elements of Style by Strunk & White
12. How to Write Best-selling Fiction by Dean Koontz
13. Xenocide by Orson Scott Card
14. The First Family by David Baldacci
15. Children of the Mind by Orson Scott Card
16. Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
17. Shadow of the Hegemon by Orson Scott Card
18. Shadow Puppets by Orson Scott Card
19. Shadow of the Giant by Orson Scott Card
20. Ender in Exile by Orson Scott Card

21. The Diamond Throne by David Eddings
22. The Ruby Knight by David Eddings
23. The Sapphire Rose by David Eddings
24. A Game of Inches, Volume 1: The Stories Behind the Innovations That Shaped Baseball: The Game on the Field by Peter Morris
25. Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
26. The King of Tort by John Grisham
27. Domes of Fire by David Eddings
28. The Shining Ones by David Eddings
29. The Hidden City by David Eddings
30. Slash by Slash and Anthony Bozza

31. The Brass Verdict by Michael Connelly
32. Double Jeopardy by William Bernhardt
33. City of Bones by Michael Connelly
34. Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings
35. Queen of Sorcery by David Eddings
36. Magician's Gambit by David Eddings
37. Echo Park by Michael Connelly
38. Primary Justice by William Bernhardt
39. The Testament by John Grisham
40. Dark Eye by William Bernhardt

41. Eragon by Christopher Paolini
42. Blind Justice by William Bernhardt
43. Eldest by Christopher Paolini
44. Perfect Justice by William Bernhardt
45. Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings
46. Enchanter's End Game by David Eddings
47. Brisingr by Christopher Paolini
48. Cruel Justice by William Bernhardt
49. Naked Justice by William Bernhardt
50. Extreme Justice by William Bernhardt

51. A Princess of Landover by Terry Brooks
52. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
53. Dark Justice by William Bernhardt
54. Silent Justice by William Bernhardt
55. Murder One by William Bernhardt
56. Watch you Bleed: The Saga of Guns N' Roses by Stephen Davis
57. Criminal Intent by William Bernhardt
58. Death Row by William Bernhardt
59. Hate Crime by William Bernhardt
60. Duma Key by Stephen King

61. Capitol Murder by William Bernhardt
62. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
63. Capitol Threat by William Bernhardt
64. Capitol Conspiracy by William Bernhardt
65. Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson.
66. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
67. The Good Guy by Dean Koontz
68. Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
69. Mistborn: The Well of Ascension by Brandon Sanderson
70. Mistborn: The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

71. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
72. The Faithful Spy by Alex Berenson
73. The Ghost War by Alex Berenson
74. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
75. Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski