By Susan L. Tuttle, @Susan_Tuttle5
Summertime is the perfect time for reading, and reading is essential to writing. So today I want to walk through my three Fs that help us grow as writers.
- Frequently
As writers, we need to read frequently. I know, I know, how on earth do we have the time to read when we should be writing? But here’s the thing, writers must constantly hone their craft. We should always be learning, and reading is one of the ways we do that. Reading continues to grow our own vocabulary. We remain aware of what is current in our industry. We might even catch a glimpse of upcoming trends. When we open a book, we engage with plots and characters that encourage us to stretch our own writing muscle. Reading frequently is essential in our writing journeys.
- Far-reaching
Another way reading impacts our writing is when we indulge in genres outside of our own. That can include picking up a thriller when you write contemporary romance, or diving into a non-fiction book when you write fantasy. Whatever the jump might be, it’s so important to read outside of what you know, because in expanding the breadth of what we read, we expose ourselves to new worlds. It’s here where fresh ideas can form. Where we can take bits and pieces of what works in other genres and finagle those things to create something unique and different in our own stories. Reading outside our genre stretches us to try something new, and that reflects in our writing.
- Fun
I saved the best for last. Whatever you do, don’t forget the joy of reading. For most of us, it was the pure excitement of becoming lost in a book that drew us to writing. When we reencounter that feeling, it reminds us why we craft stories. Yes, there may be multiple layers to our “why”, but one we share in common is the desire for our readers to truly enjoy our books. To close the final page with a happy sigh. When we do that ourselves, it energizes us, and that energy translates straight onto the pages of our stories. So, pick up a book—each week if you can, but at least once a month—simply for the delight of reading, and watch that emotion transform your writing.
That’s it! The three Fs of my writing world. I’ve found that each of them in their own way has helped my writing continue to grow, and I hope it does for you too. Happy summer reading, friends!
Falling in love again wasn’t on her checklist, but he’s about to pencil it in.
Nate Reynolds’s ugly history has dogged him long enough. He has spent years reforming himself, but there has to be a purpose for all the pain in his youth. When he discovers the perfect campground for rehabbing juvenile delinquents, he sees his chance for redemption. Even if it means butting heads with the owner’s granddaughter, Gwen Doornbos, a woman who, for all her sharp edges, possesses a heart similar to his. The more time he spends with her, the more he envisions a future he once thought impossible.
Four years ago, Gwen Doornbos lost her husband at the hands of a troubled teen. Her dream of ministering to kids died with him, and she returned home to help her grandfather run their family summer camp until his retirement. That day has finally arrived, except her grandfather has other plans for Camp Hideaway, and they include the irritatingly handsome Nate, a do-gooder with more brawn than sense who insists on bringing the past right to her door.
When an accident requires Gwen to temporarily assist Nate, she discovers that the campers challenge her in ways she’s not ready to face. Yet if she can find the courage to stay, the darkness that has shrouded her for so long may lift to reveal a love arriving out of the blue.
ACFW Carol Award finalist, Susan L. Tuttle lives in the Mitten State where she’s a mom of three and happily married to her best friend. Between still homeschooling her youngest and leading the women’s ministry at church, she finds time to write stories filled with inspiration, hope, and encouragement. Connect with Susan at www.susanltuttle.com.