Good evening. As you may know my name is Gigi. I am a parti poodle and owner of a novelist. This week my novelist and I have been catching up on some of the films nominated for the Oscars and next week we will do a post on the subject. This week however she would like to tell you about something she’s been participating in for the past two years and encourages all writers to do if it is available in their area. So, without further ado, here is my novelist.
Every year I participate in my library’s local reading challenge. This is my third year in a row where I’ve taken on the task of reading ten books before the end of the year. Each book must fulfill one of ten categories. The following is this year’s list:
Retelling of a fairytale or myth
About a journey
About a person you’d like to meet
About music or a musician
Recommended by the library staff
Teaches you a new skill
With a friend
About nature
About current events
By an author whose gender is different from yours
It’s not always a simple task finding time to read and write a book at the same time. But I like getting the finisher pinback button at the end of the year when I turn in my completed bookmark. There’s a wonderful line Abbe de Coulmier has in Quills which is: “The writer who produces more than he reads – the sure mark of an amateur.” (Quills by Doug Write, The Dramatists Play Service Inc. Page 29).
It’s not necessarily fun to read things you don’t want to. And I don’t always like all the categories they choose. But it makes me keep up a pace and keep reading. One thing I suggest is if you can find books that fit the categories and serve as research for the story you’re working on, do it. I did that with the first book I read last year. It was one of my favorites of last year’s ten.
Doing a reading challenge is more work than blowing through a television series on Netflix or Amazon or whatever you may subscribe to but it’s good for you. Reading as opposed to watching film or television makes you empathize with the characters better. It also gives you knowledge, vocabulary, improved memory, sharpens your analytic skills, helps you concentrate better, improves your mood and yes, it makes you a better writer. So, if your library offers it, do the reading challenge. You’ll be glad you did.
I’ll post every Thursday. That’s the schedule. While you’re waiting for my next post check out my novel Chicane currently available on Amazon.
Gigi Catches Air 