Tuesday, July 13, 2010

For the Love of Reading

So Day 1 updates?

515 words.

Not great, and not quite where I wanted to be, but it's halfway there and definitely something, right? Baby steps.

I'll probably do a bi-weekly progress update for this--just to keep you all informed, and me on my toes. I don't want to be reporting nothing now, do I? :D

All this got me thinking about something else. I know we try to set writing goals for the day or the week or the year, whichever works best :), but you know what they say, if you want to write well, you need to read a lot. Like a LOT.

With the busy lives we all lead, it's hard to squeeze in precious time to do some reading, but like with writing, reading to me is essential.

I usually read in the train as that's the only part of the day that I can get some uninterrupted time for it - it's not much, usually about an hour or just over (depending on delays). But similar to making however much writing progress, it's something.

What about you? Do you find it's harder to find the time to read now along with your other responsibilities? When do you usually find time to read?

Ooh, and before you go! I want to say thank you to the fabulous Bec over at Gaining my writing wings... for this beautiful award that she made. Please check out her blog now if you haven't already - you won't be disappointed.



15 comments:

Anne Gallagher said...

If I'm in the throes of a writing frenzy I don't read at all. I can't. It throws off my concentration. But if I'm not writing, like now, cuz I'm stuck, all I can do is read. I feel like I have to.

Erinn said...

I"m a lot like Piedmont Writer. When I write, I don't read, because I don't have a lot of quiet time or down time to myself.

You got 550 words done. Good for you.

Joanne said...

I read usually mornings a little bit, but more so in the evenings. I like to read a variety of things, from magazines to newspapers to different genres of books. And great job on the writing, any wordcount accomplished is a step forward!

Stephanie Lorée said...

I read before bed and on the bus. I always have a book on me in case I'm stuck in a line, waiting room, etc. Sometimes at work if I have some downtime I read.

Gratz on the 550 words, stick with it! And super cute award!!

Anonymous said...

You're right, you've got to take baby steps. Just as they say you need to get used to waking up early by going to bed a little earlier each night, rather than 5 hours earleir than normal all at once, the same can be said for writing.

I find the time to read just before bedtime, usually, but even that can be hard sometimes. Maybe if I were to just give up blogging... (not that I want to!)

Congratulations on your award! It's well deserved! :]

Talli Roland said...

I always read before I go to sleep. It's my sacred reading time - I can't sleep without it!

Anonymous said...

I cannot go to bed without reading at night. Trouble is, once I start reading, I get so involved in my book, I simply cannot go to bed! Many a night I have turned off the bedside lamp with only an hour or two of shut-eye until I have to get up for work. It's not the only time I have to read, but it's the best time. The black bags under my eyes agree with me. ;)

Kenda Turner said...

Time to read comes and goes for me, sometimes a lot, other times a drought--depending on the schedules of others around me. But if I go to the library and bring home an armful of books, I find I read more. I hate to have to renew them! Congratulations on your word count. I think that's great!

WritingNut said...

Piedmont - I'm sorry to hear that you're stuck, but I hope the reading will inspire you :)

Erinn - Very true, and thank you!

Joanne - It's a good idea to have a variety--you won't get bored. And thank you :)

Mesmerix - It really does help the time to pass faster. I was delayed on the train almost an hour yesterday--thank goodness I had my book! Thank you so much!

Amanda - Ahhhh, no! Not give up blogging (gasp) :D. I hear you though, the internet is a time sucker. Thank you!

Talli - And it's a great bedtime routine :)

Nathalie - Ohhh, I hear you. I'm like that too - I've gotten better though. I used to stay up all night reading and couldn't make it to school the next day. Sadly, we don't have the option to not make it to work after one of those nights :(.

Kenda - That IS a great tactic! I remember those days. I feel like I haven't been to a library in so long (the one near me shut down).

Janet Johnson said...

I'm with you, reading's essential. In fact, I struggle to eat breakfast unless I have a book in hand. Company won't do it. I need a book.

WritingNut said...

Janet - And it helps you to multi-task too! ;)

Theresa Milstein said...

I'm glad you got some writing in! Like Piedmont Writer, if I'm in the throws of writing, reading falls by the wayside. But if I'm in editor mode, I keep reading.

WritingNut said...

Theresa - Thanks!

Lydia Kang said...

Actually, I need to make more time to read! I squeeze it in here and there, but it's harder to get invested in a story when you only have a few minutes at a time.

WritingNut said...

Lydia - I know - I miss the days when we were able to just read at leisure :)