#IWSG: The Reading Spice of Life - Variety!

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Wednesday, March 03, 2021

#IWSG: The Reading Spice of Life - Variety!

Our Insecure Writers Support Group question for March is: “Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choices?”


I started picking out books from our local Bookmobile as soon as I was old enough to have a card. My mom’s only codicil was that I could read whatever I could reach (the children’s books being on the lower shelves). Silly Mom. There were step stools! Though I started out with all the Black Stallion books, I quickly branched out to The Hardy Boys and Trixie Belden mysteries. Then a Folklore phase when I devoured the stories and legends from every country I could find. Georgette Heyer Regency romps were followed by Alistair MacLean’s thrillers and Ray Bradbury mindblowers, all the way to Stephen King and Dean Koontz horror and anything suspense. There was never enough time to get between the pages of everything I was dying to read.


Actually, I voraciously read every genre except what I finally started out writing: Romance. I blame Kathleen Woodiwiss for changing that.

Even while writing romance, I enjoy paying homage to the genres I cut my teeth on, adding in action, adventure, suspense and the paranormal. Everything I was tall enough to read and eventually able to add onto my Kindle gets sprinkled into the huge, ever boiling pot of plot ideas, bringing spice, heat, spooky times, and variety to the expected love story in genres from that first historical Regency and western historicals to category suspense, vampires and shapeshifters.

Variety is more than the spice of life. It’s also the spark I look for when I read and what keeps my titles, now entering 70+, interesting enough to keep me at the keyboard.

I can’t wait to find out what motivates you?


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.The awesome co-hosts for the March 3rd posting of the IWSG will be Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

23 comments

  1. I read a ton as a kid too and have all my life. I loved the quote you shared about the importance of kids reading. It's so true. I miss all the reading I did with my daughter when she was younger.

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    1. Every time my grandguy comes to visit, we buy a book (unless he brings one) and he reads it to me or we discuss what he's read. It used to be a fight but now he really enjoys it. It's one of our favorite times together. Hope he shares that with his own kids some day.

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  2. That's probably what has made you a much better writer. It's like being a traveler and going all over the world. All those experiences make one richer.

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    1. It's certainly made me recognize what I want my work to reflect and what I don't want to do. You never know when a bit of 'world' experience will come in handy. I love to base books in places I've traveled i.e. Reno, New Orleans, Chicago, Texas, the Caribbean, and soon, hopefully, Ireland!

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  3. I love how you find gems in all genres and incorporate a variation on them in your stories. 70+ !! Congratulations. I taught 3rd grade and loved when the kids got excited by stories and wanted to discuss them. Your image says it all. Happy Reading and Writing!!
    JQ Rose

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    1. I used to LOVE visiting my sons' elementary school classes to talk about writing and even give them topics to write on from which I'd pick examples to read aloud. The kids loved it and that "A real author!!" thing never gets old!

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  4. Wonderful post Nancy, I found I could write poetry when I was widowed many yrs ago. I enjoy Irish singer Daniel O Donnell whom I've saw in many places even many in the US. Especially loved his Nashville show. I have four books published and started my fifth two years ago.... it's a book of poems to celebrate my late sons' life, sadly he passed away in 2018. This pandemic have prevented me from finishing it.
    Take care and keep well and safe.
    Yvonne.

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    1. Poetry is something I could never do. Not enough words! I'm always amazed by those who do it well.

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  5. LOLOL "Silly Mom." Laugh out loud funny. Love love love your blog. Love how you're paying homage to those genres, too.

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    1. Thanks, Diana! My mom is the reason I'm an avid reader and a writer.

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  6. I love how you're able to add little bits from other genres into your romance books.

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    1. After 70 books, it adds zest to the romance trope!

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  7. It's great that you enjoy reading all kinds of stories. I do now. Didn't used to but discovered what I was missing.

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    1. I know, right? It's like a door opens to an exciting new world!

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  8. When the bookmobile came to our school, we were only allowed to check out 2 books. TWO! I guess they did that to be fair to all kids but sheesh. I read 2 books in 2 days. (Not really but close.) Like you, I read anything and everything...except what I was TOLD to read. That was an absolute turnoff. Tell me I can't read something and I'll do it. LOL Such a perverse person, but then you know me.

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    1. I hate the assigned books in school while IN school but reading them again now offers a whole new perspective. I remember the look on my mom's face when I decided I wanted to read Dracula in grade school...

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  9. Oh my gosh I love that book clock so much. SO MUCH. I really want one now!

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    1. I confess, it's not mine but I'd LOVE to have one, too!!

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  10. I read nearly everything, as long as the story is good. I do shy away from horror.

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    1. I don't care for slasher horror but I do love me some Stephen King!

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  11. Nancy, first I want to say that I LOVE your blog. It's beautiful and so are the pictures and sayings in this post. Definitely inspiring and true! Second, I LOVED the Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys mystery books. Great post. All best to you, my dear!

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  12. I absolutely love the book clock! Are those books books you love? Or happen to look right to fit the clock? Or maybe it's just a stock photo! haha...

    You sound like me, I love romance even if it's woven with other genres--it still resonates the truth of finding and feeling loved! <3

    ♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥

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  13. How did Kathleen Woodiwiss change your perspective on romance books? (I write romance too.)

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