Unexpected Side Effects

Reading

When I decided to write as a serious effort, I picked several of my favorite authors to re-read. I tried to read them critically and dissect out what it was that so impressed me about them. It was actually a lot of fun as well as educational. I’ve written on that before, but now that I’m working on the second book, I’ve noticed an unexpected side effect.

It’s hard to turn off.

Writing

I love to read and I’m a firm believer that I can’t be a good writer, much less a better writer, without reading. Now, though, I’m constantly examining the words and phrasing of what I’m reading, wondering how I would write it and why it was written that way in the first place. It’s hard to immerse myself in a story when I’m checking the grammar and punctuation. I’m sure established authors are either nodding knowingly or doing a face palm that the new guy certainly doesn’t know much.

Or both.

But that’s all right. I’m learning and that has an excitement of its own. Eventually I still get lost in the story when I can find enough time to simply sit and read. Makes me wonder what other side effects are waiting for me as I travel this road. It’s a little worrisome, but that too is part of the excitement.

Or maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment.

And, yes, I realize I keep starting sentences with conjumctions and other bad grammar. Everyone needs a break occasionally, if just to appreciate the right way to do things.

 

DDW

Written by D. D. Wolf

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I'm on my 5th or 6th career depending on how you count them, but ideally this one will be my last with the kind help of our readers. I've traveled to several states across the U.S., but the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina will always be where I'm most comfortable. I've been an avid reader of comics for more years than I'm going to mention, but I return time after time to the old pulps. Obviously the Doc Savage books have been a tremendous influence. There's just something about seeing and hearing those characters in your mind's eye, just the way YOU, as the reader, think they should be.. I've been writing poems, lyrics and stories of varying quality since I was in my teens, which means most of my archives are on paper in three-ring binders! I've been creating characters in various RPG systems for at least that long. I've always thought characters made the story: good characters can live on through story after story. It wasn't until the last 6 or 7 years that I felt I could write characters well enough to be engaging. You'll have to let me know how I'm doing.

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