I’ve heard a lot of writers saying that its good to read and try writing in genres which are not your own. Now, I’m not to sure I’m ready to try writing in genres outside of what I do. I tend to write science-fiction and horror, I think if you read the end of Project Phoenix you may add thriller into that.
I’m not going to try writing anything different to what I am but I would like to expand what I am reading. The majority of books I have read have been written by Tom Clancy, Dan Abnett and Kathy Reichs. Three very different genres and three very different authors. The Dan Abnett books have been his Gaunt’s Ghosts books in the Warhammer 40k universe. In addition to Gaunt’s Ghosts Abnett has written other work in the Warhammer universes as well as Doctor Who and Torchwood and a tonne of other works including comics, audio and screen plays. Yes I NEED to read more by this juggernaut of a writer.
I’d like to take a huge jump and try some genres that I don’t know much off though. Steam Punk is one of them. There’s a couple of authors whose blogs I love who write Steam Punk, one of which I’ve brought some of his non Steam Punk works so I know I like his writing so I think that will be a good place to start.
Fantasy is something I think I should like reading, but I don’t think that I will be able to get through it, especially epic fantasy. I’m quite happy to watch fantasy (love A Game Of Thrones) but when I’ve tried to read it I just get slower the further I get into the story, it should be the other way around.
Romance and Erotica does not appeal so I don’t think I’ll venture into those realms. I’d like to read a little more war novels. Every time I see my grandad (a voracious reader) he gives me at least three books. More often then not they are by someone like Andy McNab or Chris Ryan which I think will be of interest to me. I’d like to read some comics too, just to see if I can find a passion for them.
I definitely need to read more horror and science-fiction which is what I am focussing on at the moment.
What would you like to read more of?
Peter Germany's World 
Last year I took part in an Eclectic Reading Challenge where you read 12 different genres in the year. Some of the genres I would never have gone anywhere near in the past, but I enjoyed them. The only one of the twelve I failed to read was historical fiction, but Horror, YA, Science Fiction, Romance were all on the list and I enjoyed the variety. I’m certain that it’s helped my writing as well.
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That sounds like an interesting challenge. I may have to look it up in the near future. It’s good hearing that you found it useful. Quite often I hear these little tips but it always seems to be something someone is talking about, and they never seem to get around to doing it.
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I read some great books I would have NEVER gone near reading in the past. Worked for me. 🙂
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I’ll have to give it a try then 🙂
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