Reading is an important thing for everyone, but for a writer, it is critical. Crucial. FUNdamental.
      I have not been a great reader in the past year or so. Aside from a few forays into old favorites and one timid foot in the tepid pool of a favorite writer’s new series, I’ve been pretty…illiterate. I blame NetFlix.
      That said, I’m making a new effort to read more these days. I am slowly slogging through GRRM’s ASoIF series again (one chapter a day, mostly), re-reading it to savor the storyline and characters this time. I am reading “The Warded Man” by Peter V. Brett, as recommended to me recently by a gaming friend, though this week I’ve not progressed much because my sleeping hours have been so off. And then I just received a copy of a book I’ve been wanting to read for years.
      “On Writing” by Stephen King.
      Now, King is not one of my favorite authors, in general. Some of his stuff mesmerized me, some of his stuff frustrates me, and some of it well, I just never bothered to read. But- everyone who is anyone recommends this book as a MUST READ for writers.
      I saw an advertisement email from Amazon listing “things you might like” and BOOM! There it was. 10th Anniversary copy on sale. I hated to spend money without talking to Mark, even if its only a few bucks, but I couldn’t quite say no… so, click, click, click, I bought it. And sure enough, two days later, it arrived.
      At this point, I’m only a couple chapters in, but King’s voice is very distinctive and recapping his childhood trials are amusing to read though. I can practically hear him just telling the story, which is nice.
      Mark would probably benefit from reading this – he has a style of prose that reminds me sincerely of King… its very like, verbal. He’s sitting us down and telling us a tale of zombies or evil dogs or whatnot.
      Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing more of his actual advice as I progress through the book. And then pulling up to finish “The Warded Man” and after that, the sequel to “Elsewhens” whose title eludes me at the moment…
      Reading “On Writing” is already making me excited to keep… you know, writing. Even its just about Slutty Sims, haha.

Note: Image is “Girl with book” by (Cieleke) from SXC.hu