Conversations with Barb and Jann
May 2, 2012 by Jann Ryan in category Jann says . . . tagged as Barb Delong, Conversations with Barb and Jann, Jann Audiss, reading, the writing process
What do you read during your WIP?
Jann: Barb, when you’re starting a new WIP, do you only read books in the genre you’re writing?
Barb: I like to read the genre I’m writing in because it gets me in that frame of mind, that contemporary world. I especially like reading humor, which I try to write. Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jennifer Crusie both know how to construct a laugh-out-loud scene. For category romance, our own Sandra Paul (aka Sandy Chvostal) has always tickled my funny bone. I still find myself pulling out her Reluctant Hero and Domesticating Luc to see how she incorporates animals in her stories, and Linda Johnston also, with her pet sitter and pet rescue stories.
Jann: Totally agree. You know I’m writing a series category romance, but I read anything and everything romance–historical, paranormal, urban fantasy, contemporary. But I find it’s easier to plot when I read only series romance for at least a couple of weeks before I work on a story idea.
Barb: Since we were discussing this subject, I asked the Orange County Chapter Pros what they read while they’re writing. Ottilia Scherschel, who writes suspense, is of like mind. She says, “I always read some suspense to get my juices flowing.†She also reads craft books, and interestingly enough, her husband’s magazine American Hunter. She likes the website artofmanliness.com for “anything a man does or ever wanted to do.†Gotta check that one out!
Joyce Ward also stayed within her genre when she started writing paranormals, but like you, enjoys a change of pace with other genres. Erin Pryor says, “I tend to read things that are related to whatever I’m struggling with while writing…so, if I’m working on a mystery element I’ll read full-on mysteries, if I’m working on an action scene I often turn to sci-fi/fantasy. Contemporaries for friendship and banter, 19th century novels when I’m worried about tone and manners.â€
Jann: Erin has a good idea mixing the genres to draw on their various strengths.
Barb: Now, Mary Kozlowski writes contemporaries, but loves reading Regencies. She says she can keep a pretty consistent voice, so is not affected by reading in another genre. And this reading your husband’s magazines must be catching on. She reads her husband’s VFW, American Legion and NRA mags because “they have lots of interesting articles about real heroes.â€
Roy (Griff) Griffis also reads outside his genre. As he says, “I don’t want to read anything in a
similar genre to avoid contaminating my vision and voice.†Research is the focus of Dolores Else’s reading, both for accurate historical information and to get a feel for the time period.
similar genre to avoid contaminating my vision and voice.†Research is the focus of Dolores Else’s reading, both for accurate historical information and to get a feel for the time period.
Jann: I have a couple of story ideas that require substantial research, and have put them aside for awhile. What I need to be doing is “writing what I know†for now. Research can be a lot of fun, but it can be very time consuming if you’re not careful.
Barb: I know what you mean. Been there. Researching is not writing.
Shauna Roberts, who I know would use her time wisely, finds herself so interested in some of her background research topics that she will keep reading about them after her book is finished. She also will read articles and how-to books on the craft of writing to reinforce her writing skills. She reads in different genres regardless of her writing, so I assume they don’t influence her voice.
Jann: The Pros have some great comments, and it’s interesting to see what others do. I better get back to my WIP. Remember those goals we talked about a couple of months ago? Well, I just set one with our critique group at our last gathering that I’ve got to make.
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