I’m in the middle of reading about four books right now. But I already know I’m not going to make my Goodreads goal of reading 25 books this year. In full disclosure a few months back I changed my goal from 40 to 25. I won’t change it again, but I’m just not going to make it.
Also to be fair, I started working my way through two podcasts this summer, so that’s sort of like reading. But then again it’s not.
I didn’t read as much at the beach as I wanted to.
Still, I love books. I love the ones that fill the shelves over my desk.
I love the ones stacked in my closet.
I even love the ones stored in the attic that I really need to get downstairs.
It’s true that I’ll never read them all.
It’s also true that I need more shelves.
I’ve been an avid reader ever since I learned to read. In the fifth grade, I actually won the “Best Boy Reader” awarded in the summer reading program at the public library.
As a writer, I know that reading is vital.
To paraphrase Stephen King, if you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.
So, I try to read authors I would like to emulate.
Except that doesn’t go with my theme this year of reading British literature and studying British history.
No amount of cultural appropriation will make me a British writer.
I have learned from trial, and many errors, that I am also not a fantasy or science-fiction writer.
I can write a good snark, which I think goes along with my desire to be a Southern writer.
I have work to do. As mentioned yesterday, I’m using Nanowrimo to work on my current novel.
Sean Dietrich said yesterday:
Working on a novel is a lot like driving across Texas. You drive for an eternity until eventually you realize that, hey, you’re still in Texas. And even if you were to turn around and drive the other way, you’re still going to be driving through Texas for a very long time.
I don’t want to drive across Texas. Although I do love San Antonio.
The draft will be complete by the end of this month. It may not be another 50,000 words, but I’ll have an editable product.
True story.
Today is Election Day in Virginia. If you live in Virginia and haven’t voted, you have until 7:00 p.m. I told you yesterday how I voted. I would like to think you’ll do the same. But the more important thing is that you actually vote.
I asked a friend how much alcohol I would need to get through the election returns. He said “enough to last the week.”
Regardless of the outcome, I’m also thankful that I won’t have to be editing my resume with a hangover tomorrow morning.
That’s a good thing because I have books to read.