The Writing, Reading Resolution

The Writing and Reading Resolution

A favorite expression—I’m only a writer when I’m writing—reminds me not to talk about writing more than I actually write, and not to take myself or my writing too seriously. Yet I wish to write with purpose and from the dark soil of my heart for there are too few writing rewards to do otherwise.

Also I wish to remember that writing is intrinsically linked to reading. Are there writers who don’t read? Yes, but I am not one of them. I need to know what has come before in whatever genre I’m reading. And I want to write what I most like to read.

I don’t begrudge the success of other writers. I know writers in all stages; I am glad for those who find major publishers for their work. I have a degree in English and have read the classics, some multiple times, so now I like to read contemporary literature; I need you fiction writers to keep writing because I read voraciously.

I like well-written YA and well-written mysteries. “Well-written” is the key here. Too many writers well-known as well as unknown crank out books and see them published, whether by a major publisher or self-published, before the book is ready. I don’t read mystery books in a series. Why do publishers think the ninth spa mystery featuring Tiffany, the pedicurist detective and her dog, Rocky, is going to attract readers? Sometimes the first book in the series was okay, but the books weaken as they’re cranked out. And who wants to have to read eight silly books to get to this silly one? For this reason I don’t read cozies or romances, but, of course, I make exceptions. For what is THE PARIS WIFE except a romance, albeit a sad bad one, about Hadley, Hemmingway’s first wife.

I love historical fiction, especially novels set during WWII. I have trouble reading nonfiction, especially if it has no narrative thread. I need nonfiction to be peopled with characters to pull me through the facts and dates. For this reason, I like Erik Larsen’s creative nonfiction and am always impressed with the way he tells a story using research.

So in writing this and putting it on my website this last day of the first month of 2013, I am fulfilling a New Year’s resolution to flex my writing muscle.