Tag: reading

Reader Question of the Week:  What Are You Reading?

Posted on by Ian Dawson

Late last year, I wrote a post about creating reading goals for 2023, and I wanted to check in with you and see what you decided and how it’s going.  I chose to read 30 books this year, and I also made the decision to only read books I currently own and not buy any new ones this year.  

And I know that will be harder to do as the year progresses.

Thirty Books?  That’s crazy!

It seems like a lot – more than two books a month – but I have created a strategy to ensure I can reach the goal and not spend all my free time with my nose in a book.

I started the year reading shorter books, and I also added in plays and screenplays to the mix that can be read in one or two reading sessions.  This allows for a buffer zone when I pick up a longer book and am reading that for an extended period.

If you have kids, any children’s book you read can also count toward your reading goals for the year.

There’s no reason to cause yourself unneeded anxiety over making a big reading goal for the year.  There are books of all sizes and page counts you can integrate into your schedule to help you reach your goal.

How many books are you planning to read in 2023, and how many have you read so far?

Do Audiobooks Count?

I say, absolutely.  If you can get through it faster by listening to it than by reading it, it counts as a book you read.  Some people obtain information better through listening than reading, so this is another great way to learn and increase your book reading total.

What audiobooks have you listened to this year?

Did You Pick a Reading Strategy?

As I mentioned above and in the post from last year, I have been switching between fiction and non-fiction with every other book.  This year, I added screenplays or plays between each book to break things up.  

I’m sticking with non-fiction about actors from The Golden Age of Hollywood for now, and once I’m done with those, I’ll move on to world history.  

Fiction-wise, I have the final two Game of Thrones books (until Martin finishes the final one), a stack of Stephen King, and a few other fiction titles I’ve wanted to get into.

It’s always good to have some plan and know what you will be reading next to keep your momentum going. 

Do you have a reading strategy in place?

Final Thoughts

I love reading.  It’s good to have a strategy in place that you can use that can help you know what to read next and keep you on track.  Adding smaller books or audiobooks can help you bridge the gaps when it comes time to read a longer book during the year.  

It’s also important to enjoy what you read and have fun learning or being entertained by what you’re reading.

Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!

Writing Tip of the Week: Learning to write While Reading

Posted on by Ian Dawson

If you’re like me, if you like to write, you like to read.  Reading can be a passive, fun activity.  It can also be used as a learning tool for writers to develop their craft and improve their writing.  Like students learn from textbooks, writers can use novels as study aids and guides to help them learn by example and see what others have done before.

Why do we like the books we do?  How do they hook us?  What tools and techniques does an author use to drive the story forward and keep us interested?  How does an author introduce new plot points and develop compelling story arcs?

Let’s talk about it!

Pick a Familiar Book

Most of us have a book that we really enjoyed.  One that we read through at breakneck speed, mesmerized by the story, the characters, and the twists and turns.  

Choose a book that you’ve read before that really hooked you.  Grab a red pencil, pen, and paper and reread the book.  This time, however, you’re not reading to be entertained; you’re reading to learn.

Analyze This, Analyze That

What point of view does the author use?  Do they use different ones for different characters (the main character is in first-person, and other characters are in third-person)?

As you read, mark in the book with the red pencil how the author effectively uses description to introduce a character or location.  Are they verbose in how they describe, or is it simple?  

How does the author draw the reader into the story from the start?  What techniques do you think they utilize?  

When does the story change direction?  How does the main character receive new information that causes them to switch tactics?  Do they receive this information passively or actively?  

How does the author introduce conflict?  Is there an overarching conflict throughout the novel, or do things get resolved and new conflicts arise?  How does that affect your enjoyment of the story?  

How does the author show us the main character’s evolution from start to finish?  Are they open with other characters, or is the reader privy to things other characters in the book aren’t?

What are the main themes of the story?  How are they presented by the author?  Are they spelled out to the reader or more subtle?

Break It Down

Now that you’ve taken the time to deconstruct the story and its elements write down a bare-bones version. Break it down into the main plot points, the main character’s arc, and how these elements keep the narrative compelling and moving forward.

Write these points out as statements, but also quote the lines of dialogue or description that showcase these moments.  

How can you use this information to make your story and writing stronger?

Repeat the Process

Reread the book, keep an open mind and see if your initial views change.  Did you get something deeper from the second analysis than the first one?

Final Thoughts

Analyzing a favorite author’s work is a great way to dig deeper into another person’s creative mind.  You can see how a story works by breaking it down and see how the author uses character and plot elements to drive the narrative forward.  Multiple readings may deliver new and deeper information that can help you as a writer in the long run.

Readers: When and Where Do You Like to Read?

Posted on by Ian Dawson

The new year has begun, and reading challenges have been declared.  Most of us have a stack of books ready for 2023, so we know what we’re reading and who’s reading (us), but when do you prefer to read, and where is your desired place to immerse yourself in a book?

I prefer reading when there are limited to no distractions – like when I write – so I usually read late at night.  There’s something about the peaceful solitude of nighttime that allows me to read and focus on the book 100%.  While there may be some noise, it’s much easier for me to read at night due to limited interruptions.

What about you?  When do you prefer to read?

I like reading at home, but I have changed where I read.  I used to read in bed, but over the past few years, I moved all reading to the couch.  It’s still a comfortable location with good lighting and few distractions, and I find I don’t get as sleepy reading there as when I used to read in bed.  And while I have no problem reading while sitting up, I find that reading on the couch while lying down with my head on the armrest is my preferred reading position.

Where do you prefer to read?  What is your favorite spot in your home to read and enjoy the experience?

Some people are fine with reading in a busy location with lots of noise and chaos around them.  Some prefer reading earlier in the day.  No matter when or where you read, the important thing is that you are reading and adding to your reading goals in 2023 and beyond.

Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!  

Reading Exercise: The First Chapter

Posted on by Ian Dawson

Unsure of what book to start next?  I’ve been there and have a quick solution to your literary dilemma.

Pick the three or four you’re most interested in and read the first chapter of each.  Which grabbed you fastest and compelled you to keep reading? 

Boom.  You’ve found your next book.

Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!

Readers, How Do You Choose What Books You Read?

Posted on by Ian Dawson

When walking down the aisles of a library or bookstore or looking at books online, what traits does a book need to pique your interest?  With millions of books to choose from, I thought we could explore the possibilities of what gets us to pick up a book and want to read it.

Cover

We all know the cliché, but we often judge a book by its cover design.  Does it grab you?  Does it intrigue you?  Are there elements on the cover that make you curious about the story?  Does the 30% off sticker on the cover at Target get your attention?

If the cover is linked to the book’s film or TV adaptation, does that make you want to read it more or less?  

Do faces or images draw you in?

Author

An established author’s name on a book’s cover, like the name of an A-list star on a movie poster, can make many readers more interested in reading than an unknown author.  Do you gravitate toward a known author like Stephen King or James Patterson, or do you prefer to read books by new authors?

From my own experience, I often gravitate to familiar authors because I know their style and know there will be some aspect of the story I will enjoy just from their past books.

At the same time, readers can become so used to an author’s formula that they stray away from their works and seek other authors with a similar vibe to their writing.  This is how I discovered Ronald Malfi’s books this summer when I wanted to read a horror novel other than Stephen King’s.

Back of the Book

You saw the cover, picked up the book, and flipped it over.  In that brief series of paragraphs, was there something that hooked you and made you want to read more?  How are the story and its characters presented in a basic form that makes you want to dig deeper?

Is this something you look at, or do you overlook this and trust your gut that the book will be good based on other factors?

Genre

“I’ll read anything that’s romance,” “If it’s fantasy, I’m in.”  Are you more of a genre loyalist than a person married to a specific author’s work?  Do you love to read anything and everything in a particular genre and weed out the great from the mediocre?  

If you stick to one genre, do you notice what authors handle tropes and cliches better than others or authors that rise above these genre traits?

Topic

This is more toward non-fiction books.  Do you have specific topics you lean toward, either history or current events?  Are you interested in biographies, autobiographies, and the myriad of personalities they cover?

Do you tend to look for books on topics where you know you’ll agree with the author’s point of view or oppose their viewpoints?

Reviews/Media

If an author or their book is on every morning show or late-night talk show, does that make you want to read the book more?  Does their presence on the small screen make their books better than others?  

What about reviews?  I’ve seen one-star reviews for books I love and five-star reviews for books I wasn’t impressed by.  Do you use the objectivity of others to influence what you choose to read, or do you read what you want?  

Word of Mouth

Have you read a book based on the recommendation of a friend or family member?  Have you felt the unneeded pressure to like the book because a friend loved it so much? 

Final Thoughts

Like movies, TV shows, and video games, everyone has personal preferences regarding what books they choose to spend their free time reading.  How we choose those books and the criteria we use brings us to that moment of opening a new book that makes the activity all the more enjoyable.

So, how do you pick a book to read?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!

Readers, Have You Ever Given Up on a Book?

Posted on by Ian Dawson

I’m an avid reader.  I love to read a variety of books.  Fiction and non-fiction.  Long books and short.  Sometimes it can take a few chapters for me to get into a book, but usually, once things get moving, I’m in for the duration.

But sometimes, I hit a wall.  For some reason, there are books that I can’t get into, and I can’t stay focused and can’t stick with the book.  I have tried to read a handful of books more than once and still have trouble getting into them.

One this year was Gone with the Wind.  I kept falling asleep while reading, which was never a good sign, and I had to give up.

Another was written by one of my favorite authors.  I’ve started it about four times and can’t get past the first 50 pages without reaching for another book.

Okay, I’ll tell you what it is.  It’s Stephen King’s The Stand.  I’ve read dozens of King’s books, but I just can’t get into this one.  Has anyone else had this problem?  It is about as long, and I had no issues diving into that one.

So, why does this happen?  I can’t be the only reader this has happened to.  It’s weird when a book is no longer being read for enjoyment; it’s now an assignment. 

Is it worth the multiple attempts to reread a book with thousands of books to read, or is it truly a fool’s errand?

Have any of you encountered this problem?  

Have you had trouble getting into a book from an author you love?

Have you fought through the wall and finished the book, or given up and moved on to another book?  

Leave a comment and let me know.

Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!

Reading Tip of the Week: Planning Ahead for 2023

Posted on by Ian Dawson

January 1, 2023, is only a mere 108 days away, and it got me thinking about my reading goals for the coming year. Is it too early to create a reading plan? Perhaps. But, with my current reading goal of 25 books almost completed – I’m at 22 read so far – I was starting to figure out my reading goal for next year.

And, planning ahead of time helps distance it from the stigma of being a New Year’s resolution.

So, let’s talk about it!

Why Have a Plan?

I used to read whatever I wanted and as many or as few books as I felt like each year. But when I started setting a yearly reading goal, it turned reading into a goal-oriented activity. It was a great way to turn off the TV and open a book since I had a set number of books I wanted to read in a year.

A reading plan can also help you stay focused and create a basic schedule to help you reach your chosen reading goal.

How Many Books?

If you’ve never set a reading goal, start with 12 books for the year. That’s one a month, which should be fairly manageable. If you’re an avid reader like myself, you can double that.  

I have seen several people posting their completed 2022 reading goals on social media. One woman has read 172 books and her goal was 80!

Start with a basic number, and if you find yourself burning through books faster than you anticipated, you can always change your goal. For example, I initially started 2022 wanting to read 20 books but realized I would hit that sooner than later, so I upped it to 25.

What Books?

Simple answer: read what you like.  

More complex answer: Vary what you read, so you don’t get into a monotonous cycle that makes you dread picking up a book.  

I like to alternate between fiction and non-fiction, and I also will pick a theme for my non-fiction and stick to it throughout the year. For example, in 2020, I read several non-fiction books about pandemics and plagues throughout history. In 2021, I read about world history. This year, I’ve been focused on biographies about actors and actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

And in between, I read fiction.

Now, you can spin the wheel and choose what books to read and in what order at random, or you can plan out what you’ll read and when you plan to read it.

What About Page Count?

After I read a 900-page biography, I’m not ready to dive into another entry in the Game of Thrones series. I’ll usually grab a shorter book from my shelf or on my Kindle and burn through that before I start another longer book.

Variety is a key factor in keeping the reading momentum going. If you read one of your kid’s books, count it. Reading is reading, and any book you read can count toward your goal total.

Where Can I Keep Track?

You can use several sites and apps to keep track and record your progress. I use Goodreads.com, but apps like StoryGraph or Bookly can work just as well.

Find a site or app that you like and stick with it. Then work toward your 2023 reading goal, knowing that you now have the power to track and complete your stated target.

Final Thoughts

I know it’s early for this post, but, like holiday shopping, sometimes it’s never too early to start thinking about what’s coming sooner than you think.  

By setting a target reading goal and mapping out what you want to read, you can set yourself up for reading success in 2023 and be even more prepared for 2024!

Happy Planning and Reading, and I’ll see you next time!

Reading & Writing Exercise: Pick a Chapter, Any Chapter?

Posted on by Ian Dawson

It’s time to do some homework!  I know, I know.  But this is valuable homework that can help you become a stronger writer by breaking down and analyzing a published author’s work.

The Assignment

Pick a book – preferably one you’ve read and enjoyed – then choose a random chapter.  Read the chapter from beginning to end two or three times, familiarizing yourself with the style, genre, story points, etc.  

Now, it’s time to dive deeply into the chapter and get into what makes it tick.

The Questions

Ask yourself the following questions as you dig into the chapter.  You may want to write down or type your answers as go:

  • What characters are present in the chapter?
  • What are the relationships between the characters in the chapter?
  • What is the POV of the chapter (first person, third person, third person limited, omniscient)?  Whose POV are we in?
  • What’s the main conflict in the chapter?
  • What information is known at the start of the chapter?
  • What new information is provided or discovered by the end of the chapter?
  • Is there any subtext in the dialogue between the characters?
  • Does the chapter deal with the main plot or a subplot?
  • Does the chapter end on a cliffhanger?  Does the end of the chapter compel you to keep reading?
  • If you’ve read the book, how does this chapter fit into the overall narrative structure of the novel?
  • Are there any weak points or areas of the chapter you feel could be improved?

What’s the Point?

By taking time to analyze a work you enjoy, you can see how the author has structured each chapter as building blocks or puzzle pieces that fit together to create a complete story.  While this is an exercise to delve into one chapter, you can also do this for an entire book to deconstruct the structure, conflict, story, etc.  

You can also do this with screenplays, plays, or short stories to really get a sense of the structure and other elements that make the story work.

Happy Reading and Writing, and I’ll see you next time!

Reading Challenge: Trying Out a New Author or Genre

Posted on by Ian Dawson

I’m a huge Stephen King fan and an avid reader of his novels.  This past month when I was on vacation, I went to Barnes & Noble and found a new author in the horror genre: Ronald Malfi.  I had never read any of his books before, so I took a gamble and bought one of his books.

I’ve found a new favorite author!

The next time you’re at the bookstore, on Amazon, or considering buying a book from an author you know, consider trying out a new author in the same genre.  You can also experiment and try a new genre outside your comfort zone.  If you love fantasy, try romance; if you love sci-fi, try historical fiction, etc.  

Or, if you are a hardcore fiction reader, try a non-fiction book on a topic that interests you.

It’s easy to get locked into reading patterns – I know I do – but every once in a while, give yourself the challenge of trying out a new genre or author.  You may not like it and run back to what’s familiar, but at least you know you tried.

Or you’ll be like me and find a new author to enjoy.

Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!

What authors or genres have you tried and found you enjoyed?  Leave a comment and let me know!

How Not to Play the Guitar – A Writing Analogy

Posted on by Ian Dawson

Happy 2021! I’m sure by now you’ve thought about some goals you’d like to achieve in the new year. Whether those goals are big or small, it’s always good to have something new and exciting to look forward to as the calendar turns back to January.  

For many people, this may involve taking up and new hobby or learning a new skill, which can lead many down a fascinating rabbit hole of reading and research that may not be as productive as they may think.  

Let’s start with an example of this: You want to learn how to play the guitar in 2021.

A great goal. You’ve thought about playing the guitar for a while. You’ve seen people you know, and also famous people do it so effortlessly that you want to enjoy making music as much as they do. You go online and decide to buy several books about playing the guitar.

You wait for the books to arrive, eagerly awaiting the guitar-playing wisdom each book will reveal. Upon their arrival, you read three, and all three present different methods about how to play the guitar.

Now, this whole time, despite having the guitar, you haven’t picked it up once. Sure, you’ve looked at it, thought about playing it, but every time you read a book about playing the guitar and feel confident about playing, you still feel you need to find the “best” way to play.

And so, you read about playing the guitar. And the guitar sits there, alone, un-played.

Now, you’ve finished the books. You’ve highlighted paragraphs, bookmarked pages, told people about the books and how exciting guitar playing is…and suddenly you feel an unforeseen pressure. Not to pick up the guitar. It’s the pressure that with all the tips, tricks, tools, and methods you’ve just learned, your brain is suddenly overwhelmed. 

Now that thing you wanted to do, that wonderful music you wanted to create, your passion for actually learning is stamped out because you spent so long reading and not doing, and you psyched yourself out of it.

This can happen to aspiring writers, too. In fact, anything creative can have the excitement and adventure of discovery killed off by reading about it instead of doing it.  

I’m guilty of this, too.

I’ve written many screenplays and have dozens of screenwriting books. Each one has a different methodology of how a screenplay’s structure is composed. While the outcome is the same – a 110-page screenplay – the rules set forth by each author differ. Read a few of these books in succession, and you’ll be confused and terrified to break the “rules” you’ve read about screenwriting.

Put the books down.  

Do you have a story you want to write? Do you know the basics? Beginning? Middle? End? Do you have characters and a setting to go with those three pieces? A central conflict? If you do, great. Sit down and write it out. No books. No rules. No worksheets.  

Just story.

Now, as you expand and craft the story, if you need guidance about how to craft good dialogue or how to show and not tell, these are when those books can come in handy. They should be seen as reference guides to help your writing, not tutorials on how to write.

We are all storytellers. We know the basics. We’ve seen movies, TV shows, plays, short films, documentaries, and read novels. As a writer, your job is to take what you already know about how stories work and make it your own. 

Much like the guitar analogy, writers must do the work to get the experience. We all start as amateurs or beginners, but you will get better with time, patience, and actual hands-on practice. While reading about it or listening to interviews is fine, don’t let that take away from doing the work yourself. Those books and interviews will always be around.

Whether it’s writing, playing the guitar, sculpting, or running a marathon, take the time to invest your time in learning by doing. Future you will be grateful.

See you next week!