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I apologize for the length of time it takes me to answer comments lately. There are reasons, but you’re not here to read about all that. You’re here about the Write World. I have replied to all comments to my knowledge. If I missed one, please let me know. No comment should go unanswered. 😉
Does it get you there?
The other day I was reading an excerpt of a book by Janine Bolon called, Money, It’s Not Just for Rich People. In it she explains that before you do anything else, you need to determine where you’re headed. Then you need to watch every single penny you spend. While you’re watching, you’re asking yourself, “Does this get me to my ultimate goal?”
Later that night, I sat down to read a book. It was a book I was curious about, but it wasn’t on my need to read list. It had nothing to do with anything. It was a novel based on a reporter – I don’t care for reporter stories. I opened it up, and read the first few pages. Not feelin’ it. I braced myself to blow through it. Then the thought came.
WHY?
Why blow through something that has nothing to do with anything? I’m never going to write a story like this. I’m not going to learn about style or characterization or anything else by blowing through the story. That takes methodical reading.
So I sent the book back to the library. Big. Huge. Relief!
Instead, I’m reading Timeline again. And then I have Harry Potter #7 on my list. And a few more bestsellers. And Larry Reed’s Story Structure ebook. And I write on my own story for a few hours. Maybe as well as our money, we should be watching how we spend our TIME. Time is too precious to waste.
Haha – this from the girl writing a time traveling book. 😀
PS Will someone please tell me that Hunger Games is much better than what the 1st chapter looks like? So far I hate it. There is nothing positive going on, and that’s a huge turn off for me. In my world (write or real), things might be pretty darn ick, but there is always something to be glad for.
Woman With a Glass Pen 
I am really bad at answering my comments at the moment. Sometimes I just forget. It’s not that I don’t appreciate the comments because I do – there is just a lot going on. Your comment about coming to Sydney to give me a hug really touched me. I will definitely visit the States one day and you will get such a big hug from me. You have helped and encouraged me more than you know.
I completely agree about reading choices. Sometimes I am in the middle of reading something I am not really enjoying and I just think: ‘Why am I reading this?’ Time is too precious. I want to read something that is enjoyable, that moves me and makes me want to improve as a writer. A tall order perhaps but I really don’t want to waste time reading rubbish.
I am so interested to know what you think about ‘The Hunger Games.’ I have friends who are raving about it but so far I haven’t got around to reading it. I know what you mean about all that dark, dour apocalyptic stuff. It can be a turn off. I just need to look out the window to see that. A case in point is Cormac McCarthy’s The Road. Most depressing book ever. Not good for anyone’s mental health. I don’t want that from fiction. I don’t mind touching on the darker issues but there has to be an underlying message of hope for me or I think :’What’s the point in reading fiction? I might as well just stick to the news.’
Selma, I do my best, but I am slow at replying to comments because of life too. I don’t think anyone feels slighted by you in the least – you have a lot of replying going on at your blog! =D And I agree – it takes time to read the comments, think of an answer, and the finally get it typed out. I know there have been times I have spent more time on commenting than I have on an actual blog post! But that’s why I read through comments too – I rarely make a comment without seeing where the conversation has already headed and ask myself, “Do I have anything to contribute?”
I need to bite the bullet and just read Hunger Games. A friend of mine was trying to get me to read it yesterday, but when I told her my objection she had to agree, it is dark. But I really can’t form an opinion until I read it, so I’ll have to just give it a try.
I couldn’t agree with you more about how our time is precious and if a book isn’t cutting it with me, I don’t waste my time.
Some people think it is wrong to not finish a book even if you aren’t enjoying it. I however, think it is the right thing to do 😉 Why would I waste my time reading a book I don’t enjoy?!
That is one of the reasons I LOVE libraries! I check out whatever suits my fancy but I am not obligated to read everything and if I don’t like something, I just return it.
E-
Elizabeth,
Good attitude! My husband is one of those that doesn’t want to quit something even if he doesn’t like it. He HATED 1984 so much he finished it and chopped it into pieces with a hatchet when he was done. I was just glad it wasn’t a library copy! lol!! I asked him why he bothered if it was so terrible and he said something like, “I had to finish it to see if it was going to come out alright – but it didn’t!”