March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?
The awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen, Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose! Check out their blogs while you are here.
Easiest question ever, thanks guys! I absolutely prefer to read and write my favorite genre. This does not mean I never venture out, but I have very limited time for myself, so when I do get time, I choose to use it for something I can benefit from the most. This means visiting another world, reading excellent prose, getting lost in another being's struggles, anything to remove me from reality for just a short while.
I do not want to read fiction about "real world" struggles because I'm already living with those! (I absolutely will read nonfiction about the real world. Reading about actual problems [vs. "first-world" problems] is something that should be mandatory for anyone who wants to participate in the human race.) Sorry, tripped over my soapbox for a moment. Just let me say one more thing about that, educate yourself about the troubles of the world. Not as a hobby, but as a human resident of planet Earth. Done.
So, which genre? Speculative fiction. I want Science Fiction and Fantasy. I do enjoy things outside of this but usually there is an element of fantasy involved. For some reason, The Count of Monte Cristo is popping into my head as not fitting in my genre of choice, but really it is fantastical.
Currently I am reading Science Fiction with the express purpose of studying the craft. I am participating in the Goodreads reading challenge, so I post each book I finish reading and complete a review. The reviews are posted to my blog as well.
Feel free to recommend your favorite Speculative Fiction book/author or a worthy alternative in the comments so I can add it to my list!!
I am currently reading The Last God by Jean Davis. I love her cover art (for all of her books) and I am enjoying the story just as much. (Also currently reading Words are my Matter by Ursula K. Le Guin because she is the goddess of knowledge of writing and life as a human.)
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Before you go...
Head on over to the IWSG Anthology Blog today. It is my turn to be the featured author. I talk about the inspiration for my short story The Utten Mission, and share a blurb and excerpt.
I don't generally read memoirs, unless I'm asked, and I've been asked a few times lately. I can shake off the effects of fiction, but non-fiction stays with me. Happy IWSG day, Steph!
ReplyDeleteGood point! Knowing something is true changes how it impacts you!
DeleteThat's what I read and write! I read fiction to escape.
ReplyDeleteDo you like your science fiction bat-crap crazy? Read Big Red by Damien Larkin. I think he has another one coming out soon.
Thanks! I'll add that to my list!
DeleteI loved your line--"I do not want to read fiction about "real world" struggles because I'm already living with those!" Could that be any truer?
ReplyDeleteI know! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteHi, Steph! May I recommend a favorite Sci Fi writer of mine?
ReplyDeleteThe Hyperion Cantos by Dan Simmons. Warning, these are big and fat, but fabulous! Happy writing in March!
Thanks! I will take a look at them!
DeleteI'm a fan of Samuel R. Delany's less gross stuff. He also has great books on his craft itself. Highly recommend. Happy IWSG Day!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'll take a look
DeleteAdded Jean's book to my Amazon wishlist. Sounds good. I write spec fic, and it sounds like a "bigger setting" version of my series. So yeah, I wanna read that!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my blog today.
J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author
Thanks for visiting! Your book about settings has been very helpful to me and I am excited to try the AtoZ challenge this year!
DeleteThe Count of Monte Cristo is one my favorite novels. I went through a Dumas phase in high school. I also like to read about real world problems. It does put our "first world problems" in perspective.
ReplyDeleteCertainly. Thanks for visiting!
DeleteYeah, speculative fiction - my genre of choice to read too. And write. I think The Count of Monte Cristo qualifies, even though there was no such genre at the time it was written. But it wasn't realistic, that's for certain.
ReplyDeleteTrue, it was before its time perhaps.
DeleteI love science with a bit of the fantastical, or is it fantasy with a touch of science? Whatever. I find the melding of the two the best of all possible worlds.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Balance is always best in most things :)
DeleteHave to say I agree about not wanting to read about ‘first world problems” (and I definitely have a couple of genres that I put in that category)—and I share your belief in reading non-fiction about this world we live in. Though I admit that I like history better than current reality!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, history can often help us process our current reality!
DeleteYay, another sci-fi and fantasy fan. I also read to escape from reality. My favourite contemporary fantasy authors are Laini Taylor and Maggie Stiefvater. I highly recommend Strange the Dreamer. For sci-fi I like Beth Revis and Jessica Khoury. But of course I love all the classic spec fic authors like Douglas Adams, Ray Bradbury, Terry Pratchett, etc.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendations! I will look those up.
DeleteLots of scifi lovers around... glad I've caught up with you :)
ReplyDeleteMe too! This community keeps getting better.
DeleteNice to meet a fellow sci fi fan. If you haven't already read Orson Scott Card or Philip K. Dick, I do recommend their books.
ReplyDelete