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Alicia Thompson's avatar

I also read while I'm writing, but you've made me think about how I could be more THOUGHTFUL about what specifically I'm reading and what I'm taking from it for my draft. Sometimes I do that but sometimes I'm just kinda reading whatever drifts through my transom. You've made me want to read every single book you mention here!

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Regina Black's avatar

I always try to make room for books that feeds my id! Sometimes those books do unexpected work too

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April Kuykendall's avatar

You worded this so perfectly! I’d love to hear your thoughts on AI images and it being a tool for help with writing. Many people argue that it’s “stealing” from artists and many say it’s not when one uses their own ideas and creativity to get assistance to create something beautiful and most times better.

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Emily Charlotte's avatar

YES. this is both validating (I simply cannot stop reading and may as well accept it lol) and insightful—the breakdown of all the ways we read is inspiring me to take inventory of my own TBR. thank you for sharing!!

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Regina Black's avatar

You're welcome! I'm so glad it resonated!

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Julie Cassidy's avatar

I read constantly, and if I didn’t read while drafting I wouldn’t be reading for months at a time! I can’t imagine doing that because I love reading so much. Reading in my genre enriches my writing and makes me think critically about craft — both my own and other writers’. It’s an essential part of my process.

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Regina Black's avatar

This exactly! Also, reading helps me come up with more words. I know that sounds basic, but when I stop reading, it's harder for me to think of different ways to explain or describe things.

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Julie Cassidy's avatar

Yes, me too!

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ava wilder's avatar

i love this! i feel a lot of guilt reading while drafting because i feel like i should be using that time to work, but this is such a helpful & insightful way to approach it.

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Regina Black's avatar

I feel like reading is such a big part of being a writer! I feel guilty when it takes me forever to get to a friend's book because I'm reading for something I'm working on.

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