tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post534638888235480607..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: Reading as a Writer: The Great Adventure! (Part One)Missy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-20784673535843217712019-01-24T10:04:24.304-05:002019-01-24T10:04:24.304-05:00Jan,you're preaching to the choir in this post...Jan,you're preaching to the choir in this post. I've always loved to read, yet I hadn't considered writing a book until 2010. I have quite a story when it comes to that. Since I started writing, many have told me to read a variety of books. Back around 2014, I read a true crime book, a genre I had never read. It's in that book that I got an idea for Wise Turned Foolish, my then work in progress. No matter how busy I am with life, especially with writing, I make a point to read. I love how you categorized the Bible as the #1 book to read. It's because of doing that and being an avid participant in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) that I've become a better writer. Wow! So much I can say in response to this one post. Thank you for sharing. Abundant blessings upon the words God gives you.Faye Wilson Waltonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09539607263212337056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-75021928773726792532019-01-23T01:45:33.955-05:002019-01-23T01:45:33.955-05:00Hi Jan:
When I was twenty a librarian at my Air B...Hi Jan:<br /><br />When I was twenty a librarian at my Air Base in Italy told me to read "The Lifetime Reading Plan" and "How to Read a Book". I did. And then I started reading the classics in the Plan. What I really liked in "How to Read a Book" was the part on how to have a conversation with the author even if the author lived 2000 years ago. <br /><br />I also learned how to read a book on many different levels at the same time if possible and if not to come back and read the book years later and those missing levels might then be accessible. This was some of the best advice I ever got form anyone.<br /><br />Of course, I agree 100% on being able to write with beautiful prose that may even rival poetry. That's two great talents. And it's a joy when it happens.<br /><br />Part II can't come soon enough.<br /><br />Thanks.<br />Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-12620982495383427432019-01-22T18:04:30.447-05:002019-01-22T18:04:30.447-05:00Having a regular reading time helps keep us in the...Having a regular reading time helps keep us in the habit, doesn't it?Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-85677212037179467802019-01-22T18:03:53.558-05:002019-01-22T18:03:53.558-05:00I use my phone's Kindle app the same way. When...I use my phone's Kindle app the same way. Whenever I need to wait somewhere, no problem!<br /><br />I always keep one book for Kindle reading only, so I always have something to read!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-889157721439802162019-01-22T18:02:28.648-05:002019-01-22T18:02:28.648-05:00LOL! My old-school Kindle doesn't have the &qu...LOL! My old-school Kindle doesn't have the "tap for a definition" feature, but when I use the Kindle app on my phone, it does. Every once in a while I tap the screen by accident, then I'm all "why does it think I don't know that definition???" <br /><br />And then I remember. I'm so old school.Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-27494506760443793482019-01-22T18:00:04.328-05:002019-01-22T18:00:04.328-05:00Vince, if you've read "How to Read a Book...Vince, if you've read "How to Read a Book," (and I'm not surprised that you have!), then you already have the gist of what part two of this post will be about. :-)<br /><br />And you're right - it isn't just the words, but our use of the words that makes our writing sing...or not. There is a lot of poetry in the best prose. <br />Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73942594282573978482019-01-22T17:56:55.591-05:002019-01-22T17:56:55.591-05:00Chiming in here, too, Jorie!
I'll be praying...Chiming in here, too, Jorie! <br /><br />I'll be praying for your health and a blessed year to come.<br /><br />And best wishes on your writing journey!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-27411001138397365142019-01-22T15:14:22.970-05:002019-01-22T15:14:22.970-05:00I usually read before I go to bed.I usually read before I go to bed.Connie Porter Saundershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09234596850866029756noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-62077552277970255282019-01-22T13:07:02.347-05:002019-01-22T13:07:02.347-05:00Hi, Jan! My favorite time to read is before bedtim...Hi, Jan! My favorite time to read is before bedtime. I love to end my day snuggled in bed with a great book. I am going to make a confession, however. I'm starting to get a little friendly with my Kindle. I do enjoy how easy it is to carry in purse, so I can squeeze in some reading time while at the doctor's office or while hubby's driving us somewhere. :)Karen Sargenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10762000226496483451noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-87861071689052397032019-01-22T12:21:12.495-05:002019-01-22T12:21:12.495-05:00Hi Ruth:
I feel your pain. I'd like football ...Hi Ruth:<br /><br />I feel your pain. I'd like football go to innings like baseball when in over time. The home team goes first at the twenty-five yard line. They play until they score or are stopped on downs. Then the home team starts on their twenty-five yard line and they do the same. No time clock at all. You either score or are stopped on downs. If both teams score 3 points in their half of the inning, then they play a second inning. No coin flips. No running out the clock. Each team gets an equal chance to win. Very simple. Very fair.<br /><br />Think outside the batter's box. <br /><br />Think baseball.<br /><br />Vince<br />Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-58856787325343198642019-01-22T05:40:15.671-05:002019-01-22T05:40:15.671-05:00Father Tim had to do that in one of the Jan Karon ...Father Tim had to do that in one of the Jan Karon Mitford books, too.... and a parishioner sent him a wheelbarrow full of wood or something... Thank heavens for power!!!!! <br />Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-32731138706361178592019-01-22T05:37:42.135-05:002019-01-22T05:37:42.135-05:00I am in love with Patrick Mahomes.
I hate that r...I am in love with Patrick Mahomes. <br /><br />I hate that rule about the touchdown.... I get it for regular season games when there are back to back games, but not in playoffs. Playoffs should revert back to the full quarter of play.... and if it's a tie, you go to double overtime.<br /><br />There is no balance in that rule, it's so often the luck of the toss...<br /><br />And the blown call in the game before that would have left .04 seconds on the clock, right???? <br /><br />In a time of instant replay, I don't get it, Erica. I just don't get it.<br /><br />I am now a big Mahomes fan.<br /><br />What an amazing talent he is. Baseball's loss.... Chiefs gain.Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-11252173531590638322019-01-22T05:32:58.335-05:002019-01-22T05:32:58.335-05:00Jorie, I'm with Debby on this. I'm so sorr...Jorie, I'm with Debby on this. I'm so sorry you're having health issues! Sending you blessings and will gladly pray for your comfort. And thank you for being an ardent reader. That's a blessing right there.Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-88574179724829155952019-01-21T23:51:12.978-05:002019-01-21T23:51:12.978-05:00What a fun post!! And how cool is this - the Value...What a fun post!! And how cool is this - the Value of Reading for Authors is the topic on my blog this month!<br />I read at bedtime, and afternoons when I'm having a "jello" day - days when I *feel* like jello and can't do much else! (part of the RA i have)<br />I prefer the tactile richness of a print book (although I do find myself tapping a word to see the definition sometimes LOL ) Robin E. Masonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16258253525429429571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-59521821286395382432019-01-21T22:21:40.292-05:002019-01-21T22:21:40.292-05:00Thank you for this kind note of blessing, Ms Giust...Thank you for this kind note of blessing, Ms Giusti - it is my most earnest hope and prayer for myself as I had a hard 10 months out of 12 in 2018. Many blessings back to you in return for thinking of me... I truly appreciate it. I try not to focus on the harder ruts in life (as we all have them) but it was a year which taxed me physically and spiritually -- if I can relocate at some point this year, it will help tenfold, if I can't (as part of this is environmental) I simply hope for a better year of wellness.Joriehttp://jorielovesastory.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-63737493602859386612019-01-21T20:44:38.269-05:002019-01-21T20:44:38.269-05:00Jorie, I pray your health will improve in 2019!Jorie, I pray your health will improve in 2019!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-16531504601527920132019-01-21T18:08:51.041-05:002019-01-21T18:08:51.041-05:00We are in deep mourning here re the Chiefs. I'...We are in deep mourning here re the Chiefs. I'm still wearing my Chief's jersey to the Super Bowl Party. :)Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-192690590078833842019-01-21T18:04:31.525-05:002019-01-21T18:04:31.525-05:00Hi Jan:
When it gets down to it, I don't thin...Hi Jan:<br /><br />When it gets down to it, I don't think it's about the words. It's knowing what to do. Once you know what to do, all kinds of different word combinations will do the job.<br /><br />Think of this: a person can play golf everyday for fifty years and still remain a hacker the whole time. Most golfers never stop being hackers. It's not about playing time. It's about working. Working on the right things you need to improve in the right ways. Even pro golfers go to teaching pros throughout their careers. <br /><br />A pro golfer who is having problems in sand traps is not just going to play more rounds of golf. He's going to spend hours and days in sand traps taking every kind of shot until the club becomes an extension of his arm and the shots become as natural as throwing the ball up on the green.<br /><br />The best writers have learned to do the best things by habit. Often without specific thought.<br /><br />Practice, practice, and more no fun practice. Want to learn about POV? Write the same scene in seven different points of view. Notice the difference. Get a coach if you can to provide valid feedback. Then how about writing a whole chapter in seven points of view? Too much work? It's more fun to read, read, and read some more. But it's not the way to substantially improve!<br /><br />Don't fall in love with words any more than a bricklayer should fall in love with bricks. Learn the requisite skills and the bricks will take care of themselves.<br /><br />How to read more?<br /><br />Listen to audio books. I've managed to listen to over 1000 books over the years during periods of doing repetitive manual work. This is especially helpful for nonfiction books. They may cost more than books but most of the good ones can be found in the library. You don't have to make the time to listen. You just have to be willing to multitask. <br /><br />Also, use a Kindle. No lighting problems ever. Over 1000 books always at your fingertips in less space than a hardbound book. Read from a selection of books which present the most efficient read for the time you have and the environment you find yourself. No bookmark problems. The Kindle opens where you left off reading. <br /><br />Read all you can but learn how to read to learn the most from the best writers. Read "How to Read a Book". Know what the authors should be doing and then watch the words and approaches they use to accomplish those things. <br /><br />I'm looking forward to Part II of your post! I'm always looking for new things that I should be looking for.<br /><br />Vince<br />Vincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12707773426729777989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-34477541346818086962019-01-21T15:36:05.692-05:002019-01-21T15:36:05.692-05:00Hi Debby!
Copying other writers is one of the thi...Hi Debby!<br /><br />Copying other writers is one of the things we'll cover next month in part two of this post. It's a technique I learned in college, and it continues to serve me well. :-)<br /><br />I'm a fast reader - and always have been. Sometimes I have to make myself slow down to enjoy a good book, and that's one reason why I save the classics for my bedtime reading. One chapter at a time!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-25490546779037959392019-01-21T14:51:53.140-05:002019-01-21T14:51:53.140-05:00Hallo, Hallo Seekerville,
I'd have to say, as...Hallo, Hallo Seekerville,<br /><br />I'd have to say, as a book blogger of five years, my reading life has deepened and expanded into new horizons of interest. I never thought I'd read Non Fiction - as outside the books I would read for research a a writer, I never thought I'd actually enjoy reading Non Fiction for pleasure and/or self-knowledge pursuits as much as I do now. I also am defining how you can be a hybrid reader of both mainstream & INSPY Lit - as I continuously read across both markets - something I've always have done since I was a younger reader.<br /><br />Mostly though - as a book blogger, reading the eclectic variety of stories I have over the years has also honed in on the kind of writing style & voice I want to curate into my own writings. I've also developed my own writing voice in the process of blogging, where as I am talking about the stories themselves, I am also re-fuelling my own creative voice and how I articulate what I am reading back to my readers. There is a lot of 'me' on my blog and thereby, it has been a wonderful exercise of how to reclaim your writing through the pursuit of reading.<br /><br />I avg somewhere between 150 to 200 books a year, though in the future that number will increase as I research more for my current WIPs. I also think ideally I most likely would be between 250 to 300 eventually. In regards to how to read or how to fit reading into life? As a book blogger its a different approach as your purposefully seeking stories to read - as a reader, I'll have to answer this next year as I'm re-directing my blog during 2019. I'm moving from being a book blogger to a reader whose re-focusing on her writing life - so in theory, will I read more or will I read less or will everything just balance out? I'm looking forward to knowing! As I want to focus on my reading life outside of blog tours, etc (life of a book blogger) whilst am also starting to write a novel -- I do well when I'm busy (in life) and when I'm reading a heap... stories renew my spirit - not just the INSPY ones as I said, I read loads of stories per year spilt between markets.<br /><br />Some days I read during the day, most I read during the hours the world is sleeping as I'm a night owl. It just depends. In future, my hours will be different as I will be a mother and that's a new journey in of itself -- I most likely will not be blogging as regularly as I am now either as I have long term plans for my blog but for now, I read, blog and tweet my reading life at a pace that works for me.<br /><br />Being a migraineur and someone whose had health issues (esp during 2018) -- I find grace in being able to return to stories and find them refuelling my joy of reading. Whenever I can connect to a character and a story - it is a well of inspiration. I love stories, hence why I named my blog as I did. Stories are a writer's best friend and a reader's best joy.Joriehttp://jorielovesastory.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-48911225369169651202019-01-21T14:40:11.465-05:002019-01-21T14:40:11.465-05:00Years ago, I heard someone talk about typing a boo...Years ago, I heard someone talk about typing a book they had read and enjoyed to get the rhythm of the authors writing. I never did it, but it's an interesting idea for those hoping to improve their craft and to learn how that favorite author creates story!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-77291812163127867692019-01-21T14:37:53.724-05:002019-01-21T14:37:53.724-05:00Lovely post, Jan! I read fiction at bedtime, as ma...Lovely post, Jan! I read fiction at bedtime, as many others have mentioned. I would love to read in the day, but there never seems to be any extra time. I do, however, read scripture in the AM (and a bit during Night Prayers) and non-fiction/research during the day. But I'd like to read more...and to be a faster reader. I savor each word and now look at what I'm reading as an editor would, which slows me down even more. :)<br /><br />Reading is a great way to learn how to write, as you mentioned!<br /><br />Stay warm and happy painting!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-36488809520496014352019-01-21T14:19:57.558-05:002019-01-21T14:19:57.558-05:00With readers like you, Amy, books will never be ob...With readers like you, Amy, books will never be obsolete! I'd rather read than almost anything else. :-)Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-46489022629984927052019-01-21T13:13:41.260-05:002019-01-21T13:13:41.260-05:00I love reading. I feel almost lost if I don't ...I love reading. I feel almost lost if I don't read something everything's every day. This is my second year to participate in a reading challenge with some friends--every month is a different kind of book. January was a biography. February is a book published in the last five years. Etc.<br />I also try to read the bible through each year, but I do it differently each year to help me catch something new each time.<br />And then I read for fun between everything else, mostly Christian romance. I catch a few chapters while my kids watch a TV program or during naptime as a reward for working a while...or sometimes just because. And then again before bed to help me wind down. I prefer reading to social media much of the time anymore. Amy Anguishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08227138959392552195noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-59875943252192939652019-01-21T13:10:56.981-05:002019-01-21T13:10:56.981-05:00When my husband was in Junior High School (now tha...When my husband was in Junior High School (now that phrase dates him, doesn't it?), he found a copy of The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien in his small town's library. He still remembers one of the endorsements in the front: "I envy you. You haven't read this yet."<br /><br />There's something precious about reading a great book for the first time. You know you'll read it again, but it will never be the same as that first voyage of discovery!<br /><br />And I agree. I love kids that read. And adults that read. :-)<br /><br />PS - I thought of you at the end of the Patriots/Chiefs game last night. So sorry.Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.com