To be a good writer, you must be a good reader

I love to read. But there's a problem. I am a book-addict. Meaning that once I pick up a book, it's really hard for me to put it down. And I get snarly and snappy when someone tries to pry me away from the story. When you have a fiancee, a dog, a cat (that is recovering from some sort of nightmarish encounter with either a motor, a tire or a large predator), stories to write and a wedding to plan, there's not much time for reading. So, I've compromised.

When I work out, I read. That gives me at least 120 minutes a week (if I use the elliptical) to read. However, it's pretty hard to read when you're moving. I'm getting better at it though.

But what does this have to do with writing? For me, I get so wrapped up in my own stories that they begin to strangle me. I delve too deeply into the technical aspect of the writing and the real reason I'm writing (the story) begins to get murky. Critiquing someone else's story (no matter how well-written the story is) does not draw me out of the abyss, but often pushes me deeper. Because I'm looking at individual words and sentences and asking myself: Does this work? Can it be better? What emotion is this portraying? And the story eventually gets lost as well (which is why I make myself read the piece twice before I comment).

But to read for nothing more than the pleasure of it--ahhh, it's nice. And it serves as a reminder that THIS is why I write. For the joy of a story. For the feel of pages beneath my fingers. The smell of the binding. THIS is what gives me hope for my own works. I still appreciate the technical part of their writing, but that FINALLY takes a backseat to the story. A much needed break. :)