The first Wednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. Members post about their doubts and fears, discuss struggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.
Thanks, as always, to Alex Cavanaugh, founder and Ninja Captain extraordinaire and our awesome co-hosts:Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose!
The IWSG monthly question can be found under the IWSG Sign-up tab on the Insecure Writer's Support Group Blog or in the newsletter. Remember it’s optional.
March 3 question - 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?
My writing and reading genres are a hundred and eighty degree opposites. I read most genres as long as they are well-written and hold my interest, but my favorites: enthralling YA fantasies and page-turner thrillers. What I write: westerns and western romances. A bit different, hey? And to add to the oddness, while all my protagonists pack heat and are proficient with their weapons, I'm a gun control advocate, though I prefer the term gun safety advocate. Do you think my alter ego is a gun toting badass?😀
AND...February/March Reviews in no particular order.
LIFE IS LIKE A BOWL OF CHERRIES by Sally Cronin
I've read several of Ms. Cronin's works
and enjoyed each and every one, but this particular set of shorts and poetry is
definitely my favorite. When it opened with a story about artificial
intelligence not allowing the protagonist to order sweets because she was on a
diet, I knew I was in for a treat. The characters are warm and believable. The
world building spot on. Before you know it, you're in the middle of each and
every story. So grab a cuppa, some cookies, put your feet up and enjoy. Amazon.
STOLEN by K.A. Woodford
This story is a remarkable blend of an
edge-of-your seat crime thriller and a heartwarming romance. The author nailed
police procedure and her research on the subject shines through. Her characters
are well-developed and her descriptions detailed. I especially loved the
epilogue. It ties the story up with a bright red bow. I'm looking forward to
more page-turners by K.A. Woodford. Amazon.
NIGHT ZERO by Rob Horner
Science goes awry in this zombie thriller.
A virus is accidentally released that
makes people violent and once they die turns them into the undead. While this
isn’t my normal genre, I have found that the category isn’t that important as
long as the story is well-written and this one definitely is. It’s obvious the
author has a medical background and this knowledge adds layers to the story. NIGHT
ZERO is definitely a well-crafted tale. If you like horror or zombies, get
ready to keep turning pages. Just leave the light on. Amazon.
AND...
AND....
48 comments:
Thank you (as always) for waving booky temptation my way.
I am a multi-genre reader. I see no reason to limit myself.
Good reviews! Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
Great post Sandra, I like many sort of books . Loved your reviews here today.
Take care.
Yvonne.
I giggled at the memes, lol 😜
Hi Sandra, your reading and writing genres are opposites :)
I read across genres and age groups!
I read outside my genre too. I enjoy a lot of different books and find that it can help me with the fantasy stories I like to write. So funny that you are for gun safety but write westerns where I'm sure guns do fit into the stories.
Hi Sandra - definitely opposites - and I love the concept of your Westerns and romances - but am glad to see you're for gun-safety. I mostly read educative books - for relaxation probably mysteries. Stay safe - Hilary
My first books were NA/YA and I really don't read that genre. Except the manuscripts we publish of course.
I don't see a contradiction in writing about fictional gunslingers whilst wanting real people to be safe from such people. I don't think most crime writers would encourage murderers, or historical writers deny themselves all modern advantages. Fiction isn't supposed to be like real life.
Yes, I do see you as a gun-toting badass!
My reading preferences are mysteries (not thrillers) and biographies. My writing tends to be more essays. Go figure!
I am all for gun control and for the people who are not, I say, give them muskets since that is the type of gun that was around when that amendment was made. I love reading non fiction...about movies, actor, film history, biographies, art, architecture, mystical, and yes..disasters like the Titanic. I do love mysteries like Agatha Christie, and fantasy.
There's something to be enjoyed or learned no matter what you read. I like your book choices and that you write westerns.
Interesting question and answer! Thanks for the reviews.
I had to add the zombie book to my reading list. I read lots of genres, but love a good fantasy, mystery, some horror, or thriller. My characters do a lot of things I wouldn't...lol xo
That gun thing--must make for interesting family discussions!
Your reviews are the perfect example of your wide range of reading. They all sound interesting, but I'm not a Zombie kind of girl. But, oops, maybe I should expand my genres with that one.
JQ Rose
One of the things that terrified me when I first started writing my books was that my parents were very conservative Christian and I thought my family would judge me for writing fantasy which had other deities. I've since gotten over the fear, but I know how you feel. :D
Suerte con los libros. Y yo soy como tu leo de todo pero escribo mas romance paranormal. Te mando un beso
Love the dichotomy between what you write and your beliefs. It's okay. Read and write on.
Good on you. We miss out on some great stories when we limit our genres.
YOU take special care.
I'm glad you got a giggle:)
Thanks!
You have a great one too.
Hugs received and returned.
Thanks, Yvonne, and good on you for reading a wide range of genres.
Take special care.
Good on you for reading across genres and age groups, Rachna:)
Good on you. And I agree other genres do give rise to new ideas. And Oh yes on the guns fitting into my stories. Heh.
YOU take special care.
I love it! Thank you:)
I hear ya:)
Thanks for stopping by, Patsy.
Hope your muse is sitting on your shoulder.
You are a badass and I love your oddness! Thanks for the reviews! Big Hugs!
Thanks, Hils:)
Educative books are always good to read. I'm working on the presidents, though I'm only on the 3rd.
Take special care.
Oh, thank you! :) Heh.
You are most welcome.
Big hugs received and returned.
Especially when all the sibs pack:)
You have a diverse palate;)
I hear ya on the characters:)
xxoxoxo
That's so interesting that you read and write completely different genres. I suppose it's nice to have a break from the genre you are writing and escape to a completely different world.
You are most welcome.
You can't beat a great paranormal.
Hugs
Ha. I love the musket idea.
It does give me perspective:)
So glad you stopped by, Anstice.
Stay safe. Be well.
Of course:)
There is something to be learned or enjoyed no matter what you read indeed, Lee.
Thanks:)
Stay safe. Be well.
I hear you, Loni. One of my characters uttered the GD word and a relative asked me to remove it.
I get why you read and write in different genres. I tried to write romance stories but it just didn't work for me, though I did read a lot in my teenage years, hence now historical fiction/fantasy is my genre.
Right there with ya:)
Thanks, Diane:)
Hey Cuz,
All great reads.
Thanks for co-hosting this month.
YOU take special care. Heading your way now.
Thanks so much Sandra for including your review here too... much appreciated. Have a great week..hugs Sally ♥
Hi, Sandra! I'm a little late visiting. For some reason I couldn't find your post last Wednesday. I read widely, and I enjoy westerns. Mateo's Law was lots of fun, and I plan to read more of your westerns in the future.
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