Are Books Your Crack?
*This article first appeared in the February 2010 issue of Romance Writers Report.
As a former librarian, if there’s one thing I love, it’s books. But, about a month ago, a friend of mine asked how I found time to write with so many updates on Goodreads. “Yeah…about that,” I began, and what followed was an epiphany. My bookshelves were overflowing, my library card was maxed out, and I wasn’t rewriting my manuscript. Could books be the problem?
No way, I thought. I had to read within my genre. I had to stay current on the marketplace. It was part of my research, as a writer, to read all the books about my craft. Everyone says that the most important thing a writer does is read. But I wasn’t writing. I was stuck in a vicious cycle of automated library holds, and the irresistible urge to review every book that passed through my hands.
There is something intoxicating about the instant gratification of reviewing. Your grammar doesn’t need to be perfect, and plenty of strangers are interested in what you have to say. In a way, I was helping people while I strengthened my social networks. Wasn’t I?
It’s called an addiction for a reason, and the steps below are what finally worked for me. If someone you know needs help (you), keep reading.
Eleven Ways to Tell if You’re Addicted
- Your bookshelf is stuffed with unread books, and you just bought one more.
- You have a different audiobook every day… for your car, laptop, and iPod.
- The library clerk has to remind you, again, that you’re at your limit for check-outs.
- You have more than 200 friends on Goodreads.com, but the local librarian is your best bud.
- The only writing you do is book reviews.
- People have begun to follow your reviews.
- You’re skimming a magazine on the elliptical machine, while you’re listening to a book on tape.
- There are more than 500 books on your to-read list.
- Friends say they’re amazed at how many books you’ve read. Repeat: read, not written.
- Neighbors marvel at your ability to walk the dog while reading.
- Your family resents books.
Twelve Steps to Recovery
- Realize that you’ll never have time to read it all. Yes, your habit may be limited to materials about writing, but we all learn more by doing. Ask yourself if what you’re doing is adding value to your long-term goals.
- Now, this step is tricky, but vital. First, divide your reading list into categories: materials within your genre, leisure reading, research, and books on writing. Once you create the lists, decide which books are truly important to your career right now. Give yourself one day to do this.
- Download LeechBlock.com. This Firefox add-on is designed to block time-wasting sites that prevent from you writing, e.g., Goodreads, Shelfari, weRead. It works well for Facebook too.
- Take a week off from reading. One week. Give your mind a break, and reevaluate your goals. Ask yourself: What’s the purpose of my book? Why am I writing it? What do I want to accomplish? Then, find a writing space away from all reading materials.
- Find a mentor or role model who is consistently producing new material, and surround yourself with serious writers.
- Write down your long- and short-term goals, and then create deadlines. Gauging your progress can motivate and inspire you.
- Lean on your critique group or RWA chapter for support. Discuss your goals with family and friends to keep yourself honest.
- Once the week is over, make a vow to read less and write more. Remember, it’s not a competition. You’re retaining next to nothing with shallow reading habits.
- Tackle your writing first, and then reward yourself with reading. You’ll remember more when your mind is uncluttered.
- The library is your opium den. Finish the books you have checked out, and then place your returns online before you head back. Give yourself five minutes to check out.
- Ditto for bookstores. Go in with a purpose, and stick to it.
- Maintain. Continue to take personal inventory of your goals, and move forward. Reading is important, but it’s just the first step. You’re a writer. So, stop being too busy.
Finding the Right Critique Group
*This article first appeared in the July 2009 issue of Romance Writers Report.
I’m convinced that finding a critique group is harder than finding the perfect pair of jeans.
A friend (who shall remain nameless), gave me a copy of the book, The Wednesday Sisters, and said she wished she had a critique group that was as supportive as her knitting club.
Now before you roll your eyes, let me say that my friend is a serious writer. She can take criticism and dish it out. What she meant was that it’s difficult to separate dedicated writers from weekend hobbyists. Like dating, you don’t always marry the first person you meet.
I’m an active member of the Orange County Chapter of the Romance Writers of America (OCC-RWA) and the Chick Lit Writers of the World (CLW). Now that I’ve belonged to these groups for over six months, I’ve noticed that the first thing new members do is search for critique partners. Sometimes I read the e-mails from new members, and I sense their frustration. Many writers, like my friend, hear no response at all.
Joining an organization like RWA is just the first step towards finding a critique group. Getting involved with a local chapter is the next step.
One way to connect with members of your local chapter is through social networking sites, like Facebook and MySpace. Better yet, follow them on Twitter. Twitter is a great resource to learn more about someone. Just lurk for awhile. Figure out what you can offer a potential partner, and then answer any questions they have. Be helpful.
But what if your local chapter is hours away? Then try Meetup.com, or Friendster.com, which allow members to search by zip code, for everything from book clubs to critique groups.
Yes, social networking is time consuming, but so is rewriting. A critique group is like the perfect pair of jeans. You could spend your whole life searching, but once you find them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
For more advice on critique groups, visit http://julieleto.com/advice_for_writers.html.
