Since BlogFlash 2012, my spare time has shrunk further. Money is tighter. I work more. I sleep less. Hours are more precious. 168 in a week. I try to use them all wisely.
I love to read. I'd do it all the time if I could. I can chew up 1000 pages a week if left alone. I'd be every indie writer's best homie and would review over 100 things a year.
But reading is a luxury to me. A selfish luxurious pleasure. Reading means not working, not hunting freelance gigs, not spending time with wife and kids, not resting up for tomorrow.
I said it last year and I'll say it again:
I don't read. I have and I will, but I don't.
Probably pisses off every writer I'm associated with. Idealistic students are saying: "How can you write if you don't read?" That's what college was for. That's what vacations or for, if I could ever take one. Too much reading and you start either copying others or are paralyzed with fear that you will. I have plenty of imagination but not time.
But before you think I'm totally selfish (and realize to me "selfish" means I only think about my wife, kids, job, house, pets and their future) I am helping a friend from Broken Mic get out his first ebook. He's published in print but not online. Coming very very soon is a collection of poetry by Travis Naught (https://mobile.twitter.com/NaughtaPoet) called "Still Journalling". He does well what I can never do: explain what's in his own mind. I need to get to work on his cover, so I'm signing off.
Hope I made you think about books.
I've gone through many periods in my life where reading was a guilty pleasure, a luxury, something I really should not have taken the time for. I couldn't give it up. If you need to, and you are able, good for you. Your family is more important!
ReplyDeleteLinda
I completely understand. I wish I had more reading time, but it's quickly gobbled by writing time, and I'm selfish. I want to spend time with my characters. ;)
ReplyDelete