Blog swappin' with Jamie B. and 'Challenging Reads'

Today, I'm trying something new on old "Scrivengale." I'm doing my first blog swap with Jamie B. Musings. Her post is co-opting my blog and my post is on hers.

Jamie B. is a multi-talented person with varied interests. But today she's going to talk solely about her writing. So, let's give her a warm "Scrivengale" welcome as she takes the floor because she has embarked on a noble quest this year.

Jamie B. MusingsChallenging Reads

by Jamie B. Musings

I’ve been a big reader since at least the first grade. I remember waiting with baited breath for that Scholastic form to come in so I could pour over it for hours, marking all the books I wanted to get. I feel very lucky to have been able to get at least a one or two each time.

After what would seem like an eternity, the books finally arrived and we were given time in class to look over our orders and read for a while. As much as I enjoyed that, I really got into reading more seriously when a friend introduced me to The Babysitter’s Club series in third grade. From there, it was on to Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and others.

I go through the occasional phases where I end up not reading all that much. After reading Steven King’s On Writing and seeing him flat-out say if you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time (or tools) to write, I decided that had to change.

I committed myself to reading 52 books this year after seeing the “52 Books in 52 Weeks” challenge. I figured this would definitely give me the motivation to whittle down the list of books waiting on my Kindle.

After getting more than halfway through the challenge, I have to say that I’m glad I did this. It’s helping to do more than just clear out my “to read” list; it’s actually inspired a couple of ideas to work on in the future and giving me a feel for the kind of work that’s out there. Really, there is so much inspiration to be had from reading. It also shows you a variety of writing styles and helps you develop your own. It makes you commit to something (that meter on my goodreads page is holding me accountable) and discipline is one of the most important things a writer can master. 

Do you agree with King’s stance? What has reading done for you as a writer?

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Jamie B. Musings is a music addict, book lover, pet servant & NaNoWriMo survivor. When she's not busy writing posts for CultureShock, she's taking pictures for her new obsession (That Photo Blog) and spending time with her husband and pets. Her first book, The Life and Times of No One in Particular, was released in May.

You can find her at:

www.jamiebmusings.webs.com

www.jbcultureshock.wordpress.com

www.jamiebmusingspics.wordpress.com

www.twitter.com/jamiebmusings

www.facebook.com/jamiebmusings

www.youtube.com/user/Jamieavon77

Comments

[Gale Martin / @Gale_Martin]

I admire your goal to read 52 books. I put 20 down as a goal on Goodreads -- 20 new books -- which I think I'll hit. But I learn so much from reading others' work about the world, about myself, and about writing. What to do and what not to do. How writers can be creative problem solvers just like visual artists. It's very exciting to see when a writer hits upon a solution to a plot twist that may surprise even her. Fingersmith</> is a good example of this. Anyhoo, it was great swapping with you, and let me know if you hit your goal.