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The greatest ways to grow as a writer is by reading. I spent a summer reading selections from the NY Times Best Seller List. Now, not all of them were stellar reads, well written or even slightly engaging. But there was some aspect of the book that intrigued readers. What was it? Even if you’re reading a book that makes you scratch your head and ask, “And they’re published and I’m not?” dig deep to find what does work about the authors story. Story can trump craft many, and most times. That being said, the Book Therapist pick this week is author Marian Keyes. Now, I can’t say I’ve read all of her books, but the ones I have read leave me salivating as a writer. Keyes has a great […]

I haven’t laughed out loud on an airplane for a long time. Seriously — I know it’s scary when the person next to you on a plane bursts into hysterical laughter. So, I try and avoid it. It helped that I was mostly sitting next to my husband on our recent trip home from Cancun when I was reading Geoffery Wood’s first time novel Leaper, but still, I know that my sudden hiccups of hilarity made a few people wonder just what, if anything, I picked up from Mexico. Fear not, I’m a good girl, I am. But I do love a funny book, and when it is rife with great dialogue, I can’t help it but read out. Which I did. On the plane. Basically, Leaper is a Urban […]

One thing we talk about as authors is reading. To be a great writer, you must be a great reader. In fact, it’s probably the primo craft study: reading. Craft books are largely about theory and how-to. And, in my humble opinion, craft books often use “high concept” books as their examples which can make the lessons hard to translate for genre or literary writers. Nevertheless, read craft books! Back to reading… what should you read to improve your craft? First, read the genre you’re writing. Read best sellers, or books that are getting a lot of buzz. Still, there’s no guarantee you’re “reading up.” I’ve read a few best sellers that were not strong on craft. The writing was fun, but not tight. I was mentally rewriting every other […]