Trials of a reader author

If you're anything like me, a dedicated reader who also dreams of or actively pursues writing, you know the unique tightrope walk we navigate daily. It's a beautiful, yet often perplexing, existence where the love of consuming stories clashes with the drive to create them. This is the essence of the 'trials of a reader author' – a constant push and pull between inspiration and production. My journey began, much like many others, with an insatiable appetite for books. I devoured fantasies, lost myself in historical fiction, and found solace in non-fiction. Then came the itch, the whisper that grew into a roar: 'What if I wrote my own stories?' And just like that, I became a reader author. Suddenly, my relationship with books changed. Every novel became a masterclass, every plot twist a lesson, every character arc a study. But this new perspective brought its own set of dilemmas. One of the biggest trials I face is the ever-expanding 'To Be Read' (TBR) pile. My Audible library seems to grow exponentially, and my Kindle is bursting with downloaded treasures. I distinctly remember reflecting on this very dilemma on December 4, 2023. A thought hit me, much like a pop-up notification on my e-reader: "Are you really still adding books to your Audible & Kindle without reading what you already have?" Ouch! That hit home. The guilt is real, folks. How can I justify buying another book when I have dozens waiting, patiently or impatiently, for my attention? This isn't just about managing a physical or digital stack; it's about managing my time and creative energy. When I'm deep into writing my own manuscript, spending hours crafting sentences and developing characters, the idea of diving into another author's complex world feels almost like a distraction. Yet, I know that reading is the lifeblood of writing. It refuels my imagination, broadens my vocabulary, and reminds me of the power of storytelling. It’s a paradox: to write better, I need to read more, but to read more, I have to take time away from writing. So, what are my strategies? I've learned to be kinder to myself. I now embrace the idea that the TBR pile is not a to-do list, but a treasure chest of future adventures. I try to schedule dedicated reading time, even if it's just 30 minutes before bed. For my writing, I set clear goals for the day, and once those are met, I allow myself the luxury of picking up a new book without the heavy cloak of guilt. Sometimes, I even use audiobooks while doing chores, effectively doubling my reading time. Another trial is the constant comparison. As a writer, I'm more critical, more analytical of what I read. Sometimes, this can be inspiring, pushing me to elevate my own craft. Other times, it can be daunting, making me question if my voice is unique enough or my plot clever enough. It’s a delicate balance to appreciate another's brilliance without letting it overshadow your own. Ultimately, it’s about finding my own rhythm, my own process, and celebrating both the act of reading and the act of creating. It’s a journey, and every day brings a new lesson in navigating these wonderful 'trials of a reader author'.