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Reading to write
By ALongLook in The Write Stuff
March 3, 2008

I am not sure what happened to me. For the first 11 months of 2007, I read maybe one book and that was one I got for Christmas in 2006.

But since this Christmas I've absolutely gone nuts reading. As I wrote in this space earlier, I read an Ann Rule true crime tome. Now I've added Zodiac by Robert Graysmith to that list.

I know it's important to see how others SUCCESSFULLY write true crime. Not that I want to mimic their styles, but just get a feel for what works. What gets published.

I also went a little crazy with the Dean Koontz novels...I've devoured six of them and have started another. Throw in a book of poetry and as  you can see, I've caught up on my reading.

Now, if I can only transfer that time spent to the keyboard. I know I can do it, and I will.

Comments


  • ALongLook ALongLook Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    Thanks for the comments. I too, am a Grisham fan, although I haven't read the last few. And I have, indeed, read both Helter Skelter and In Cold Blood, though both were several years ago. Perhaps it's time to revisit them.
    I appreciate y'all taking a  moment to share your thoughts.

    March 4, 2008 at 4:16 p.m.

  • SugarMagnolia SugarMagnolia Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    Mr. Long - two books I am sure you are aware of, and have likely already read, but I believe they need to be mentioned here: "Helter Skelter" by Vincent Bugliosi, and "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote. Truly classics, never has true crime been done better justice than by these two books. Riveting to this day....Enjoy your reads, and good luck with your writing!

    March 3, 2008 at 10:15 p.m.

  • Triangle Triangle Report a ViolationReport a Violation
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    Glad to hear we didn't lose another reader!  It seems since the Internet came into play, more people are leaving books on shelves these days.  I'm a victim of that.  I used to read all of Dean Koontz's books as soon as they came out.   I'm a fan of Grisham, Ludlum, Rice, and some other guy whose name eludes me (that's how bad I've gotten).  But I haven't been able to get through twenty pages of a book in a couple of years.  I'm just so used to reading bits and pieces of their books online, or just reading a review at some website and being comfortable with that.  It's really not good.
    So I'm trying to get back to reading an actual book.  I've got Grisham's latest book, The Appeal, and while the first twenty pages were easy, I'm now only getting through 4-5 pages a night.  But I'm determined to finish the book.
    Good luck with your writing!  I've been writing since I was eleven, never published, but it's a great exercise for the brain!

    March 3, 2008 at 9:13 a.m.