Insecure Writer's Support Group is a blog hop hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh where totally insecure writers can get together and share the things that are making us go argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For all intents and purposes, this is meant to be a book review blog as well as my author blog. I can’t remember the last time I read a book with the express purpose of reviewing it. My review policy is up and I’m still taking requests but I have a sneaking suspicion that most people who submit are just ignoring the guidelines and trying their luck. This is why I delete 99% of the requests I get. Most of them don’t even refer to me by name but just called me “Blogger.” A lot of the novels I’ve been asked to read aren’t in a genre that I enjoy.
For all intents and purposes, this is meant to be a book review blog as well as my author blog. I can’t remember the last time I read a book with the express purpose of reviewing it. My review policy is up and I’m still taking requests but I have a sneaking suspicion that most people who submit are just ignoring the guidelines and trying their luck. This is why I delete 99% of the requests I get. Most of them don’t even refer to me by name but just called me “Blogger.” A lot of the novels I’ve been asked to read aren’t in a genre that I enjoy.
The thing is,
the more I write the more critical I have become. I feel like I’m
treating every novel I read as though I’m doing edits on it for a friend
and often this is what makes me not want to read
a book or stop reading it altogether.
To date I’ve started at least four
requested novels and at best I’ve read them to the ten per cent mark and
then put them down and have never picked them up again. Once upon a
time I used to be one of those people who would finish
a book no matter what. Now the slightest thing can make me stop
reading. If the plot is slow, I lose interest. If the romance is cheesy
or if there’s any hint of a love triangle, I lose interest. I find
myself making notes not in an attempt to write a review
but with the aim of providing the author with constructive editing
advice.
I long for the days when I used to be able
to read just for pleasure. But I’m starting to worry that because my
mind is so geared towards writing, that those days are over. 
I think we all go through that stage. Once you're published, it's a different game. You see how thin the line is between published and prepublished. I've read published novels that really were in a 3rd draft form and needed a few more years of development, but the point is, they're already out in the world. Some books are a chore to finish. I hear you. (I do about 4 to 6 reviews a month--but only rarely by request.) I've decided the key is to only read for pleasure, and if someone I know is publishing a book in one of my reading genres, someone I see as a true professional, I'll volunteer. Otherwise I only read for pleasure. There's enough discipline and grit in writing. Don't need that in reading too.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Writing is painful and reading shouldn't be. I just feel an overwhelming sense of obligation to help other Indies out because I know how difficult it is to get reviews. Though I guess that's backfiring considering I don't usually end up giving more than 3 stars when I force myself to keep reading something I'm not really enjoying.
DeleteYep. Writing makes us so much more critical. It can be tough. Since I'm not writing any more I find I'm much more easy to please when it comes to reading.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go through a non writing slump I often find reading to be a lot for fun. I just wish I could find Indies I enjoy reading.
DeleteI find I give up on books easier. Might also be because I just don't have time to slog through a book I'm not enjoying.
ReplyDeleteAnd anytime I've queried a book blogger, I always make sure that person reads my genre.
Honestly, my name is right there at the end of the review policy. Don't know why they won't use it! I used to feel so guilty about not finishing a book but I'm going to try and let that go from now on.
DeleteWriting and being a critique partner is what's making me super critical of books and every other form of storytelling. It's not even something I'm bothered by because I feel like I have this new vision and can see things I never could before. It's cool!
ReplyDeleteIt does make it harder for anything to impress me, but I still get impressed. I just accept that nothing is perfect, which is truly a relief as a writer, and just enjoy what I can. I quit what really is just sucky, but that's more because I don't have the time nor the energy for crap.
The problem is that the books I'm reading aren't even sucky. The ones I truly despise I stop reading without guilt. These ones are just a bit boring but I feel bad thinking they might pick up but if I stop I haven't given them a chance.
DeleteRead what you love. Review if you want.
ReplyDeleteYou should definitely read and review what interest you however with that said I think if you're strugging to get through that's probably noteworthy feedback since that should let the writer know 'hey, I might need to pick up the pacing'... etc
ReplyDeleteLOL, btw if you're still trying to get through mine (as in it's one of the four) feel free to put it to the back burner. I know I have the tendency to keep spinning my wheels but I'm at the point of thinking I want to do one more draft before letting others read it. So if you haven't started it, awesome :) If you have feel free to put it to the side :)
Being a writer had changed how I read. And like you, I don't finish many books I might have at one time. We lost our innocence. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt sucks not to be able to enjoy books like you used to. Hope you find some you like soon.
ReplyDeleteYou review requirements speak for themselves, but folks don't always take the time to read the specifics. Reviewing is hard, writing is harder. It's a service and you should be applauded! I hope your reviewing and writing moves in a more positive direction. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI don't do reviews for this very reason. Writer's need support not my critical eye (on a published work.) I do help when I can with beta reading though. ;-)
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette