Blocking out the Noise to Craft a Story

We all know that as authors, we are readers first. We fell in love with reading, and that usually is the catalyst to us wanting to write our own stories. The thing we don't consider when we start writing however, is the fact that we will lose our favorite hobby of reading. If we don't lose it, it will become vastly different.

I started writing in 2020, and not long after, I started devouring books in my genre. I read that all writers need to be well read in their genre. It's research, and you can't write if you don't read. So, I knew I was behind in my reading due to college, working, and life. I wasn't reading like I used to. I felt I needed to catch up and reintroduce myself to reading. 

And while reading to be able to write is true, I became a binge reader, and writing took the back burner.  I've read hundreds of romance books now, and while I was still writing, it wasn't consistent, and I hadn't published yet like I planned.

 

Fast forward to 2022, still reading and writing, I found my mentor and joined her writing group. One of the first lessons was on the creative brain. Being able to build your imagination to plot and write a book. And one of the things she told us to do was to stop reading books in our genre. (At least while plotting your own book.)

And of course, I was instantly sad, and didn't want to give it up. And I knew I wouldn't. Hello my stubborn side. So I never did. I never even did a test to see if my creative brain would be better without reading while I was at least in the book planning stages. I slowed down and was only reading after my writing was done for the day, but I never stopped consuming other stories. I wasn't ready to sacrifice. AKA, I wasn't ready to go all in on my dreams.

Authors typically fall into 3 separate categories once we transition from reader to writer:

1. I can keep reading like normal, and it doesn't affect my writing. 
2. I can binge read books in between writing my own books.
3. I can't read at all anymore. (Whether it be in your genre, or not at all.)

-Usually, this is because other stories interrupt our own stories, mix in with our own by accident, and the big one, gives us major imposter syndrome.

So, I was still writing, but I never stopped voraciously reading. I also have never been a good plotter and a struggling panster who's ideas don't flow well. But, alas, I wouldn't give up reading , or change my reading lifestyle, to try and get better at crafting a story. I am so freaking hard headed. This is my greatest and weakest strength that I have.

If you are a passionate reader whose stories are your escape, this is going to be so hard to change and it will take time. It is a sacrifice you have to make, and you will only make it when you are finally ready to change your life. But of course, it took me a couple years  (This New Year!) to finally want it enough, and really go all in on my publishing goals. 

My First Quarter Reading Plan: 

For the first quarter of the year, I am taking a break from reading. I am testing the theory of not reading in my genre. This is my challenge and it finally feels good to do, and not like a sacrifice, because I want my dreams, my books, to become a reality, more than I want to read other people's books. 

I am still reading non-fiction. Books on writing and personal development to grow, learn, and keep me motivated. But I am blocking out the noise of other stories, and entertainment so my own stories can cultivate and grow. I want to see how my brain will respond by cutting it off from consuming everything else, and how my imagination will grow. 

I'm hoping through this test I will be able to: 

1. Plot better
2. Hear my writer voice more clearly
3. Overall write better stories. 

Ever since I set my goals this year, and declared my intentions, I see something about it everyday or read something that's been reconfirming. 

I'm currently listening to Meggan (Author Meghan March) and Jacob Wilson's book, The Creative Rebels Guide to Winning the Game of Life, and it is a fantastic book on creating the life you want, and Meg has said several things that really hit home for me in it that aline with my goals this year, and confirmed that I need to take this break of reading.

 She said something along the lines of this: She quit watching tv. She quit social media. And  entertainment is usually what we use to escape reality, and once we realize we can create a reality that's better than the escape, it will light a fire in you to change your life.

There's some other fantastic nuggets in the book as well, so I highly recommend it! 

Another big confirmation I saw was Marie Forleo's recent post on Create Before You Consume. Our brains are tired and don't have energy left for our own work, if we have been consuming everyone else's content. It's important to focus on our own work and goals first, before consuming everyone else's. I always feel drained and scrambled if I stay on social media too long, so I know the truth behind the advice.

I see these confirmations daily, and it's so encouraging. So if you set goals and intentions this year, be aware of the confirmations around you that you are on the right path. It's there. And if it feels good and right, trust your gut, it's probably what you should be doing. 

Anyways, what are your thoughts on this? What kind of reader are you now that you are a writer? Will you be joining me in this first quarter of the year in not reading books in your genre? Tell me all the things in the comments! 

Happy writing!