Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Reading, Interrupted

In the middle of reading a book for list discussion, I felt the urge to write a story. Writing taking priority over reading, I wrote the story, revised, and submitted it today. I couldn't get back into the book. Despite being less than 100 pages from the end, I'd lost all feeling for the tension the previous pages set up. I felt as if I'd have to reread the book to regain it, and I didn't have time for that, so I skimmed to the end. Is there a better way to handle it, fellow writers?

3 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

I just stopped reading a book I was somewhat enjoying 50 pages to the end. Suddenly, it all seemed too pat. I blamed it on something new I wanted to read, but really...

Anonymous said...

There's no point in finishing a book that doesn't work for you. Think of all the good books you could be reading if you weren't stuck with this dummy.

Gerald So said...

In the case of this book, the quality of the writing was fine when I went back to it, but I had necessarily removed myself from the situation of the book to do my own writing, and I found I couldn't get back into the moment without rereading the book.

I suppose in a sense the writer was responsible. If the book had more of a hold on me, I may not have put it down to write.