How Writing Has Changed My Reading #amwriting #amreading

Having undergone the rigorous journey of writing three novels (which always includes a number of rewrites, several attempts at creating intriguing query letters, the painful process of summarizing the stories into 3-page synopses, and--after that amazing contract offer--three additional rounds of edits to produce the final product), I now approach reading for pleasure in a whole new way.  I'm not sure it's better in terms of my enjoyment of my favorite hobby, but after everything I've learned about writing these past 7 years, I think my new frame of reference is here to stay.

A good book, warm covers, and
a glass of wine?  Nothing makes
me happier!

Reading has always been my passion, and I appreciate good stories in all genres.  That hasn't changed.  But when I was younger, I rarely gave up on a book.  I had it in my head that once begun, a book had to be finished.  This applied whether I was enjoying the book or not.  I can only remember one book that I simply had to give up on--Lady Chatterley's Lover.  After discovering a classic novel with a racy title like that, I assumed I was in for a great read.  But I found the writing dry and tedious; the characters boring and one-dimensional.  I have no idea if the sex scenes were of any interest--I simply couldn't go on with the book.  The fact that I remember this, twenty years later, tells me that I still feel a bit guilty for abandoning the story.

But twenty years ago, I did not have a husband, kids, pets, and a house.  I had plenty of time to read.  Now, my reading time is a precious commodity which I refuse to waste on something I don't love.  Once I combine that reality with the knowledge I've gained throughout the writing process, the guilt disappears.  If, after the first few chapters, I'm not looking forward to continuing the book, I don't.  Unless there's a very compelling reason to keep going, it's time for me to move on to the next one.  I want a book I can't wait to read once I finally have some down time; not one I have to slog through because of some imaginary obligation. (For some of my favorites, see my lists from 2012, 2013, and 2014)

There are a couple of things in particular that will make or break a book for me now.  First and foremost, I have to care about the characters.  I want to feel connected to them, to feel their emotions and root for their success.  If I don't care what happens to the main character, I lose interest fairly quickly, even if the plot seems promising.

One of the most useful things I learned when I began writing was the importance of getting the conflict out in the first 3 pages.  I worked very hard to actually get it onto the first page in both my novels--hopefully the reader is hooked and wants to read more.  When reading, I like to see this as well.  However, I don't necessarily give up on a book that takes me a while to "get into"--Outlander was one of my all-time favorite books, and I was definitely not hooked by the first chapter.  But in that case, enough people I trusted had recommended the series, and I'm so glad I kept going.

Point of view problems are another thing that I may not have noticed before writing my books--but now, they will pull me right out of the story.  Occasional head-hopping is sometimes necessary, especially in romance, and I'm okay with that.  It can be done seamlessly in a way that allows the reader to experience what both characters are feeling.  But omniscience bothers me.  If I'm connected to a character, experiencing events through him or her, and suddenly the narrator tells me something the character can't possibly know, I immediately cringe.  It doesn't mean I'll stop reading, but I do notice it, and it disrupts the flow of the story for me.

It's not just negative things that attract my attention.  When a writer uses a fresh, original metaphor or a wonderfully descriptive phrase, I'll read it over a few times with appreciation.  That's a good thing for a writer to note--but as a reader, it still slows me down and takes my focus from the story to the actual writing.  Not necessarily the best practice when reading for pleasure, but it's something I can no longer help.  Funny dialog, powerful sentences, clever segues into flashbacks: these are all things that grab my interest.  While picking up on these things may momentarily break my concentration, it can also serve as inspiration for my future writing endeavors...and that's a price I'm willing to pay.

If you need a good read with a first page that grabs you right away, try one of my books!  All contain a mix of romance, mystery, suspense, and supernatural secrets to keep the pages turning well into the night!

My Favorite Reads of 2012 - Kathryn Knight

Finding time to read AND write each day is a challenge, but I usually manage. As I was picking out some new titles from my Goodreads list, I took a quick look at what I'd read in 2012. Here's my list of my favorites from a few genres--I enjoy reading many different things. The one glaring omission, which people may notice because I'm a ROMANCE WRITER for goodness sake, is Romance. There were just too many great ones to pick from, although I will say that many of the books I chose from other genres have a romantic element.

Here we go:

Fantasy: the A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R.R. Martin

I read all 5 ENORMOUS books in this series in the beginning of the year: A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords, A Feast for Crows, and A Dance with Dragons. This saga is so amazingly full of plot twists and turns, shocking developments, rich characters, medieval fantasy, and exotic places. The world-building alone is a staggering feat, and I anxiously await the next in the series.


Historical Fiction: The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton

Published in 1900, this is a fantastic account of one woman's journey to the New World in 1631. I had to get used to the changing POVs, but I learned a great deal about Puritan society in the Massachusetts Bay and Connecticut colonies, and the hardships and dangers of that period as settlers moved along the east coast. And I related to Elizabeth Winthrop, the rebellious young woman who dared to challenge the rules of the time.

Biographies/Memoirs: The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls

People had been telling me I HAD to read this book for years--but memoirs are not my thing usually. Then I saw it on a friend's coffee table and picked it up, and I was hooked from the beginning. The childhood Ms. Walls had was unique: sometimes tragically sad and sometimes beautiful. I was so moved and astounded by this book I gave it to my husband and then had my older son read it.

YA: Wither by Lauren DeStephano (Book 1 of The Chemical Garden)

A poignant story of a young girl in a dystopian world, kidnapped and forced into polygamy for her ability to procreate before society disappears forever, thanks to a mutated gene that scientists created while trying to strengthen the human race.

Literary Fiction: Madeleine's Ghost by Robert Girardi (a re-read)

What can I say about this book? It's one of my all-time favorites. The ultimate combination (for me) of ghost story, love story, mystery, and history, this novel moves between the gritty streets of a run-down neighborhood in Brooklyn and the steamy bayous of New Orleans.

Those are the books that stood out for me over the last year! Did you have a favorite read of 2012?