Blogger: Michelle Ule
Our office occasionally receives queries from teenagers seeking representation for novels they’ve completed. If we have time, we try to respond to a young writer who has done something many adults talk about but seldom accomplish.
We encourage them to enter contests aimed at young people, take all the writing and English classes offered at their school, and read widely across all genres.
It’s that last part I want to emphasize today for all writers: Read widely and do not limit yourself to one genre.
Is there one genre in particular a writer should read?
No.
Is there one genre a writer should not read?
No.
Are there genres in which a writer could get stuck reading (and writing) and never move beyond?
Unfortunately, yes.
Most of the teenagers who query us have written science fiction or fantasy–and often in staggering lengths. That’s because many young people like fantasy–they’re writing what they like and what they know.
There’s nothing wrong with that per se; you should know your genre and its conventions if you’re a writer. (For example, every romance writer should know that those stories are often told from two points of view with alternating chapters. That’s especially important to know if you want to write for certain publishers, who won’t even look at any other story structure.) But if you limit yourself to only reading in your favorite genre, you run the risk of falling into several traps:
- Unconsciously employing the same vocabulary as the other writers who create in your genre or category (seen many smirks lately?).
- Sticking with tried and true–and often overexposed–ideas.
- Missing out on concepts that could make your manuscript unique.
- Falling behind on what the trends are.
Obviously, some categories feature similar themes–a romance is about a couple falling in love–but you want to find a unique angle on your story. To do that, you need to read other material, and not just fiction. If you write nonfiction, you should broaden your reading list to include fiction.
My junior high history teacher, Mrs. Klocki, implored us to read history: “Not only are the stories more incredible than fiction, but they’re also true!”
So I read Russian history and watched Dr. Zhivago. Three years later I wrote a short story based on Russian themes that won a national high school writing award. I never would have come up with the idea without having read outside my preferred genre.
Besides, only seven basic plot themes exist, anyway. And nonfiction has only so many categories for a book to fit into.
Shakespeare made an entire career out of taking old stories and reinventing them in a different setting. He wouldn’t have known the stories, however, if he had confined himself to only reading the old plays at the Globe Playhouse. He read widely–current events, history, mythology and fantasy–and turned old story lines into plays we’re still reading today.
Charles Frazier’s Cold Mountain is on the surface a Civil War novel, but it’s based on Homer’s The Odyssey.
I walked out of Star Wars for the first time (straight from writing my last final as an English major) and saw all sorts of parallels to The Wizard of Oz and the Bible. One website lists a number of places from which George Lucas could have drawn his inspiration, including Through the Looking Glass, Ben Hur, Lord of the Rings and John Carter.
As writers, we’re always on the lookout for great ideas. I read a lot of nonfiction, still following Mrs. Klocki’s advice. I read sociology, biography, memoirs, history and narrative nonfiction. I’m interested in fiction with strong characters and unusual settings. I love travel books, and once, I even read a Star Wars novel: The Courtship of Princess Leia. I figured that was about as close as I was going to get to science fiction!
So, what’s a writer to read?
Everything.
How about you? What’s your default book category to read in? How do you make sure you’re reading outside of your preferred genre? What have you found while doing so?
Other than fiction, my absolute favourite thing to read is a biography. Particularly WW2 combat/espionage or missionary biographies. Talk about wild adventure and life or death stakes. Jim Elliot, Eric Liddle, Hudson Taylor, Louis Zamperini, Corrie ten Boom…the list goes on and on. I found just how big God is, and how deep He asks His people to go to bring His word to every soul on Earth. I drew on the lessons I learned to take my heroine to the deepest pit and back to the palm of His hand.I don’t skimp on the suffering, because I won’t skimp on His glory.
All true and told from the writer’s POV. I’m interested in the question, “why?” and biographies sometimes tell me.
It’s funny you use the word “why”, which of course is a huge thing…I prefer to think of these kinds of stories as “how?”. Especially POW stories. The “how?” is usually answered by the long and difficult path walked by the writer, from the circumstance faced, into the hand of God.
I don’t know that I even have a preferred genre — maybe just a few that I DON’T prefer. I like mysteries, dramas, plays, poetry, memoirs. I also really love novels for children and young adults — the Newberry and Caldecott types. Light reading, inspirational themes, good writing! I am not really into sci-fi, fantasy, or action thrillers.
BUT, I do try to branch out into the areas I’m not excited about. This is how I discovered Tolkien. I’d always thought the Lord of the Rings trilogy was outside my interests, in the fantasy genre. When the movies were first hyped, I decided to try the books, because I have a self-imposed rule that we don’t watch movies based on great literature without first reading the originals. (My kids hate this rule, but I was a lit major — can’t help it.) Of course I fell in love with Tolkien’s world.
I love Tolkien as well. His writing is brilliant. One of the things that amazes me about his writing, particularly in The Lord of the Rings, is how he seamlessly weaves a number of genres together. Technically, the novel is fantasy, but it is written in the style of fictional historicity, and it incorporates adventure, humor, mythology, theology, Arthurian legend, folklore and even romance. At the core of all of this is an authentic human story with characters who have flaws, temptations, fears and self-doubt, but who become heroes, not for fame and glory, but in order to protect those they love. The book can teach a writer so much.
Christine,
He does weave all those together well — and I never would have known because I thought he was outside my usual genres. Here’s to more discoveries!
True confession. To the shame of my family, I haven’t read Lord of the Rings. I’ve seen the movie countless times, but never read the book.
I’m saving it for some time when I have long periods of forced reading–like if I should break my leg and not have anything else to read.
But, you know, maybe I should follow my own advice and read outside of my preferred genres . . . 🙂
LOTR means a huge commitment. But please, don’t hurt yourself!
I’m saving Lord of the Rings for a time when I have nothing better to do–which I hope will be never. I read the Hobbit to my son when he was about 8. I remember thinking: get through the blasted mountain already and get back to the story! Definitely not my kind of book.
I’m sorry, Robin. That’s sacrilege. Repent, you heathen.
So funny, Michelle. I will not wish a broken leg upon you. 🙂 My kids are eager to finish The Chronicles of Narnia so we can begin reading The Lord of the Rings. 🙂 It will stretch my reading genres too. Like you, I’ve watched the movies, but have yet to read the books.
I will not, even though I’m sure they are lovely and answer the need of many readers, I will not read One. Single. Vampire. Romance.
Yeah, those are on my Never In a Million Years list. To each his own, though.
I read a little bit of vampire romance when I was in college–because I was forced to. (I went to Loyola in New Orleans. You know, where Ann Rice lives). I know many people love vampire romances, but I’m with you, Jennifer and Kristen. Until I pursue a PhD in English, that genre is on my I-don’t-want-to-read-it-and-you-can’t-make-me list.
I have wide taste when it comes to fiction: romance, women’s fiction, suspense, sci fi, fantasy (although I read less of the latter two). However, I don’t read much nonfiction. I like your idea to read history. I love history, but I just don’t take the time to read it usually. This has me thinking. Thanks, Michelle!
I read women’s fiction because it’s my genre and historical romance because I LOVE it.
“They” say if you want to know political history–what happened–you read history books, but if you want to know social history, historical fiction will give you a richer picture.
They’re so smart! I was reading Nancy Moser’s “Just Jane” and had to remind myself Jane Austen didn’t actually say those things!
My default category is non-fiction, especially historical non-fiction. I agree with Mrs. Klocki; history is fascinating, but actually, I’ll read just about anything non-fiction because I love to learn. When I was a kid, one of my favorite pastimes was reading the encyclopedia. I would pick a random entry and read it, then read the cross-references, and their cross-references, and then I’d go to the library and get books on one of those subjects.
I read fiction as well, although as I’ve gotten older, I’ve gotten pickier about what fiction I read. My sister and I were blessed to have parents who loved to read. Frequently, our big Saturday outing was to the library–and I looked forward to Saturdays! I would check out a stack of books ranging from non-fiction to biography to humor to ghost stories. My favorite genre at that point (other than non-fiction) was ghost stories. Then as I grew, I got into mythology, Shakespeare, “the classics”, theology and philosophy. Then I got a degree in English (the writing track, but they made us read literature–LOL!) I read a great many books during college that I never would have read had I not been required to. Most of them were surprisingly enjoyable.
One genre that I’ve changed my attitude about is American Literature (I know it’s not a standard publishing genre, but it is a literary genre). I hated it when I had to read it in high school. All of it (except Edgar Allen Poe’s stuff) seemed depressing. I skimmed through it when I encountered it in college. Then, in my third year as a high school English teacher, I was assigned American Literature classes. This forced me to mine this literature that I so long had loathed and avoided. That’s when I discovered its riches.
“The Old Man and the Sea” is an example of this. Even after coming to appreciate American Lit., I still had no use for Hemingway. I’d slogged through For Whom the Bell Tolls early in life because my dad had recommended it. I didn’t like the story and I hated Hemingway’s writing style. So when I was told, as a fifth year high school teacher, that I had to make up the summer reading test for Hemingway’s “Old Man and the Sea,” I was less than thrilled. It meant I not only had to read the book, I had to analyze it. That became a blessing. I discovered that in Hemingway’s economy of words, he still managed to do in-depth character studies of both the man and the fish. Even more, the subtlety of his symbolism made it all the more powerful. I never wanted to read that story, but it is now on my list of favorite pieces of literature. Although I still have no great desire to read more by Hemingway, I know that, as a writer, I can learn a great deal from studying his writing. For example, I can learn from his economy of words which, obviously, I have yet to master.
Thank you, Michelle, for this interesting post.
Blessings on your day.
Hmmm, not a Hemingway fan myself, but maybe I should try again… American Lit was my least favorite in college, with a few exceptions.
Kristen,
One caveat: I think a writer can learn from Hemingway’s technique, but I’m still not a fan of his stories.
On the other hand, I love Twain (it’s hard to understand how anyone could not love his works), Thurber and Eudora Welty. It’s great to know that some American authors have a sense of humor. I’ve come to appreciate some of the more somber pieces of American Lit now too. For example, I’ve come to view The Scarlet Letter as a story of hope, but you really have to get into a Puritan mindset to see it that way. Currently I’m considering re-reading The Grapes of Wrath, a book which I hated with all my being when I was forced to read it in high school. Recently, my brother-in-law email an article to me that he read in DelancyPlace.com. The article discussed Steinbeck’s inspiration for the books, how he had worked to help those who had been displaced from Oklahoma to California by the Dust Bowl, and how the good citizens of the area worked hard to ensure that the immigrants either failed and left or starved to death. An Oklahoma congressman asserted that the book was the “‘infernal creation of a twisted and distorted mind'” and the book was banned in New York, California and Illinois, among other places lest anyone know or even imagine that there could be such poverty in these United States that a father would feed dogs and rats to his starving children. Generally, I don’t like to read dismal stories that don’t seem to allow a ray of hope to filter through the grayness, but after reading the circumstances that inspired Steinbeck to write, and understanding that he wrote the novel out of compassion and from his desire to tell the Dust Bowl victims’ story, I think I can read the novel through fresh eyes and with a more open heart.
I wrote my senior thesis on Ernest Hemingway . . .
But my favorite book was A Moveable Feast, which is basically a narrative nonfiction. (And is why I enjoyed the recent Woody Allen movie, Midnight in Paris, so much).
I like Hemingway’s spare prose but not his fascination with violence and blood. His female characters are cardboard figures, but if you read about his life–and later death–some of his themes begin to make sense.
I loved the romance of Ernest Hemingway, Michelle! LOL, and I kind of liked the blood and violence, but I had to hoot when you said you loved Midnight in Paris! I just saw that not ago and I loved that so much! LOL. It was fascinating.
In college I had a prof who loved Asian/Japanese literature, so guess what we read in his class?? But love American lit. I was then immediately curious as to what you did love in college, Kristen? It is always interesting to me as to what kind of literature/reading influences people.
Great post. I agree that we should read widely.
Fantasy is my favorite genre. But I read all over the place. Mystery, romance, suspense, sci-fi, biography, theological books.
I don’t care much for children’s historical novels that are more about the history than the story. I dislike children’s contemporary novels if they have bratty siblings fighting. I don’t like Christian Women’s self-help books, as a general rule.
Have you read Ann Rinaldi’s books for YA?
I haven’t. Do you have a favorite to suggest for me?
I have read some great historical novels–the Little House books are historical and who doesn’t love them? It’s like any other genre, I can love it if there are characters I care about in conflict that matters. Most recently I read and loved Hattie Big Sky and The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. I really, really love those two books.
No real favorite, I just think she writes interesting YA historical fiction. And what I love about her books is the last chapter is always a discussion of what was real and what she invented. I love all the classic historical YA fiction from my youth like The Witch of Blackberry Pond and Johnny Tremain.
Excellent post, Michelle.
Everything.
As a young kid contemplating a ministry career, the wizened chaplain emeritus from Wheaton College recommended Classics as a major. He suggested liberal arts studies as a broad base for ministry effectiveness.
I majored in Classics for 2 years, eventually switching… but yeah, study everything. Everything I’ve read in science, math, classics, history, sci-fi… comes back to help me pastor and write.
Very true, Bill. Back in the dark ages when I worked in the newsroom at UCLA, we were advised to major in a subject if we wanted to be reporters. (Journalism wasn’t a major then, I don’t know about now).
The idea was, you can teach anyone how to write for a newspaper, but you can’t backfill four missing years in a subject matter.
My editor, Patrick Healy, majored in engineering, got a job at NBC in Los Angeles and has been a successful reporter ever since. But how wonderful someone on TV news knows something about how things work! 🙂
Perfect example. I thought of my classics training last weekend as I referred to Achilles and his story in my sermon on taking up the WHOLE armor of God…
A journalist w/an engineering degree — we can use more of those. I love your line, “You can’t backfill four missing years in a subject matter.” So true.
Still a fan of liberal arts education, if you can afford it! 🙂
Fantastic post, Michelle, and such great tips!
I adore romance and women’s fiction, of course, but I also love biographies, non-fiction topics, medical thrillers, biblical prophecy, books on the writing craft, and so many more!
I think it just stands to reason that, as writers, we should read a variety of genres. We may not like them all, but the learning is invaluable. (That being said, there are some I will not read…books with endless cursing and/or Jesus-bashing. Oh, and the ones that leave me 50 shades in the pink. No thanks.) 😉
Shades of pink? You should avoid Bambi, perhaps,the chapter “Spring” in the book was memorable.
I refuse to read Margaret Atwood, a *great* Canadian writer. She bashes Christians on a regular basis. I also won’t read 50 Shades of Porn. Why put that in my mind?
I agree with you, Jennifer. There’s no point in reading something that will damage your soul and make you unhappy.
I did read the Twilight series for two reasons: my teenager daughter was reading it (and not liking the books by the end) and I need to know what is selling to be able to do my job effectively.
I probably lost a lot of brain cells in the transaction, but it gave me a conversation entry with teenagers and insight into what their world is like–which I believe is beneficial to my ability to encourage and work with them.
You might be interested in my personal blog post this week which talks a little about this concept: Patterning a Fictional Motherhood http://t.co/DoxEKyEd
Twilight was out just when my daughter finished high school, she liked it, but would pick up Laura Ingalls Wilder, even now, over anything else. That phrase “what goes into the mind, comes out in the life” is very true for me. My boys like fairly tame YA stuff and anything hockey. And Bear Gryls.
I checked out your blog too, I’ll be back, and I’ll be getting the emails too. Thanks for pointing it out. Being a mom in 2012 is rough!
“As writers, we’re always on the lookout for great ideas.” <– I think that's the kicker. How can we get original ideas if we only read things that fit into our world-view? Sometimes I get ideas for what I like based on what I DON'T like – so if I never read genres that stretched my limits, I'd never know there are possibilities to do things differently.
Exactly.
Great thoughts, Michelle!
My default genre is Romantic Suspense, but I also love historical romance and romance. When I choose to pick something on the edges of my genre I am sometimes pleasantly surprised.
For example, in the past I have not been much of a fan of first person. While reading a first person novel for market research, I discovered a fabulous new author, Shawn Grady. Yes, he writes suspense, but first person is different than what I usually read.
Switching up genres is so important to find different strengths, but it is also helpful sometimes to read in a variety of Point of View Styles.
Thanks for the solid tips!
Thanks for these thoughts, Michelle!
In nonfiction, I read a lot in the spiritual growth, bible study, and women’s devotional genres. In fiction, I read mainly Christian historical/romance with some other novels thrown in within the Christian genre. I should branch out there more. In general market, I mainly read health/wellness information, homeschool information, and parenting. In children’s literature, LOTS of picture books (fiction and nonfiction), but not too many young adult novels.
I’ve found signing up for book review programs (like BookSneeze) help me to branch out a bit, discover new authors, and read different types within Christian nonfiction and fiction I might not otherwise pick up. I love finding new good reads! Free ebooks help some, too. 🙂
Caroline @ UnderGod’sMightyHand » Excellent point about book reviews, Caroline. I read them frequently and often put in requests at the library. It’s like Christmas when the book comes in–I’ve usually forgotten why I ordered it and get to discover the reason why all over again!
I always thought there were so many book genres just so I wouldn’t get bored. 😉 To me, a good story is a good story, no matter what the “genre”. Seriously, why would anyone, especially a writer, limit themselves to just one genre?
I read massive amounts of historical romance and romantic suspense. I also enjoy a good techno-thriller a la Tom Clancy.
Not a huge fantasy reader though. Don’t mind watching it, but never really wanted to read it. I’ve just dived head first into science fiction though, partly because I’m taking a break from historical romance to write a space opera.
All my life I was a omnivorous reader. I would read the label on a bottle of catsup if nothing else was available. I can’t imagine there is a genre I overlooked. I lived to read.
Then I started writing…
Then it sounds like you got a good start, James, if you’re read so much. 🙂
Great post, Michelle. I completely agree. I think a narrow reader will be a narrow writer.
I read just about everything. True confession: I read and loved Twilight, Harry Potter, and the Hunger Games. I love any book that keeps me engaged, and those books did it for me.
I love literary fiction. I read a lot of ABA writers. I’m not a fan of romance, but I read it occasionally.
I also read great authors whose books irritate me–Anita Shreve comes to mind. I’ve read three of her books, and after both of the first two, I swore I’d never read her again. But as a writer, I can’t help but want to know how she sucks me in every time. So back I go for more literary genius mixed with emotional torture.
That would be me and Anne Tyler . . .
It’s hard not to like Harry Potter and Hunger Games… and I often find myself returning to writers who irritate me because I’m drawn to their style, if not their subject matter.
Historical fiction is my default genre, but I also enjoy contemporary (if there’s not too much romance involved). I also read fantasy, autobiographies, historical non-fiction, and, of course, non-fiction books on writing!
I primarily write nonfiction and am open to read any genre of fiction, especially sci-fi/fantasy — and don’t think I would ever attempt to write sci-fi/fantasy.
Thanks for this post, Michelle!! This is exactly what I needed to read today. I have been struggling with what I should and shouldn’t be reading while I am writing.
I’ve heard read only things all about the subject/time period you are working on and then I’ve read to only read things that are completely different than your story setting/time period, etc. Which is true?
I am currently reading a bestseller WWII novel and the book I’m writing is about WWII. I think I need to read something different for the next book, so like you said I can break away from the genre I’m writing. I don’t want to have their vocabulary and styles come out in my writing. Yikes!
Great comments everyone! This is fascinating discussion. I need to make a new reading list stat! 😀
I think you need to read what works best for you. If you suspect words from someone else’s book will find their way into your manuscript, I’d steer clear. If you like to completely immerse yourself in your subject, movies might be a better choice.
I’m working on a Civil War novel right now and I’m reading one of the comparisons, but mostly nonfiction so I get information, seep myself in the time but aren’t likely to unintentionally plagiarize. Best wishes to all and thanks for your comments.
I’ll read anything and everything. Since I’ve started writing romance, I’ve decided I better start reading more romance.
A healthy dose of classics, mixed with books for my target age both in and out of genre, nonfic about my interests and writing and whatever period I’m writing about, books or authors I’m just curious about, and the occasional book that’s totally outside of anything I would normally choose to read and that challenges my usual reading limits.
I don’t think a writer can read too much or too widely, as long as we leave time to , which is sometimes a challenge, considering how many books I still want to read and the others I’ve yet to discover or that haven’t been written yet.
I really love this conversation. It always interests me what inspires people in their reading.
I read everything, but probably if I get a choice, I love picking up historical romance, and then the second choice would be speculative fiction. I like humor in my fiction, too.
And I can read history and love hearing the true stories in history. I’m one of those people who buy the history books in museum bookstores. I think that part comes from the endless hours I would sit at the kitchen table, maybe doing some mindless chore, listening to my mother tell stories of her childhood on a farm in the late 1930s and 1940s in the Lake of the Woods area of Minnesota.
Another great post, Michelle! Thanks.