Read What You Write
You’ve all heard the old advice, write what you know.
When I first started seriously writing romance, I rarely read the type romances I wrote. This was a mistake. How could I target a publisher if I didn’t know what they wanted?
Find out which companies publish the type books you write. Read, read, read the type books you write. But read with a critical eye. Pay attention to how the author sets up the story, the style, the language, the author’s voice, the pacing, the level of plot intensity. Those are the same things editors will be looking for from you as a prospective writer for them. Make time to read books like the ones you write.
DEBRA GLASS is the author of over fifteen books of historical and paranormal romance, non-fiction, and folklore. The recipient of the National Society of Arts and Letters Alabama Screenwriter Award, she went on to win the NSAL Empire State Award for excellence in screenwriting. She received nominations as favorite erotic romance author with two of her books earning nominations as best erotic historical romance of 2009 from The Romance Studio. Two of Debra’s historical romances are currently finalists in Romance Writers of America’s Passionate Ink contest for published authors.
Debra is a member of Romance Writers of America, the Professional Authors’ Network, and Passionate Ink. She is also a member of RWA's Heart of Dixie chapter. She lives in Alabama with her real life hero, a couple of smart-aleck ghosts, and a diabolical black cat.
For more information about Debra and her books, click HERE
Current Releases:
4 comments:
I've read on another blog a different take, one where the author worried about reading the types of romances she writes. She worried her voice would be clouded by what she read.
I like your take better! And not only because I love to read the stuff I write. It's true-when I started writing, I read to see what published authors did. Didn't want to disgrace myself.
LOL!! To me, reading what your publisher is publishing is like opening the secret treasure chest to success.
I agree with you, Debra, and it also works in reverse: notice which kinds of books you like to read, and take that as a hint as to the type of fiction you'll be best at writing.
Thank you for the good tips, Debra.
Post a Comment