Carol
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    Reading about writing

    Friday, December 5, 2008, 10:34 AM CST [General]

       I have had a bit of a revelation. I have felt a little guilty about not being an avid reader. Then it occurred to me that just because I'm not reading novels on the best-seller list doesn't mean I've not been reading. Most of the stuff I've been devouring has been about writing, politics, and technical stuff related to my 20-year battle to stop an airport in Illinois. I have been pouring over those reports for decades. And, they are not an easy read.

       I have always considered myself a poor reader, a slow reader. But, the problem is that I haven't been reading for enjoyment. I'm going to change that. In fact, it may become a New Year's Resolution, since that time is nearing and I'm tired of the old standby diet resolution.

       I picked up one of those trashy romance things that I bought years ago for $.50 at a garage sale just for fun. I used to read them when I was younger. But now after writing for so many years, I was surprised to see the quality, or lack thereof contained in the book. I think I'm ready for the best seller list.

       When I decided to walk away from newswriting for a get-no-respect, go-nowhere publication in another state, I thought I would do a little magazine writing. That was my intention when I came to this community. And that is still the plan. But I was surprised to see how many people are writing novels.

       I am happy to report that yesterday, I just started writing. I ended up with 5,555 (according to MS Word) in the book I have been wanting to write. It is a bit of a memoir. I'm certainly writing what I know and enjoying every word as I reminisce with myself. If this never goes anywhere, it will still be a joyful exercise. If it does, well, that would be just wonderful.

       Thanks to all in this community that offer support for such endeavors.

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    Carol, that's great! I love memoir writing. I started mine with individual essays I hope to string together some day. My parents and grandparents have a plethora of interesting stories from growing up in Germany during the two world wars. I was motivated to write my story because of the way their stories affected me, and so that I will have a keepsake of memories for my children. Good luck with writing your story. Let me know when it's ready; I'll be an attentive reader. Also, a book that I read for fun over the sumer was Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen -- a fun read with high quality writing (IMHO), if you feel the spirit to read for pleasure again, that is. Hum... Now that I'm thinking of your post some more, I think I'll get some of my memoir essays out. Thanks for the motivation.

    hidly
    December 05, 2008
    02:02 PM CST

    I admit that I had to laugh when I read that you took some time to actually start on the 'trashy romance' that you had bought awhile back. The reason is, I too was known for having them around and even now will find myself skimming through one even while I have my own projects and uh... intellectual books to read. It took me awhile to figure out why I did it and finally it occured to me (admittedly only after watching my grandmother practically devour the things), it's like switching gears to neutral - the engine's still going but not working as hard, so it's easier to coast along until another destination catches our eye and we're ready to engage into fifth once again. So, think of it as warming up that part of the brain so it could concentrate on your memoir, because I've found out that for myself, writing fiction is so much easier than writing real life.



    Take care, and have a wonderful time skipping down memory lane, and don't forget - historians come in many forms and those who do as you are in the process of doing, are just as important as any other.

    janice
    December 05, 2008
    05:08 PM CST

    I don't read a lot either. Unfortunately I watch a bunch of tv. But maybe my not reading comes from constantly reading and re-reading my own writing which it seems a monkey gets a hold of at night and messes up. I don't know for sure about the monkey but something happens between the time I toss up my beautiful sentences and the time i re-read them 24 hrs. later

    Dale Dapkins
    December 06, 2008
    12:31 PM CST