you need to read 6 novels, 4 non-fiction, 5 short stories, 2-3 novellas, and a few novelettes (it is recommended you NOT read fanfic as it can undo everything you read previous to it)
Almost none, honestly. I have a difficult time finding books I like sometimes. So I had a reading binge, paid attention to everything I read, wrote my book, and then read other books again before editing.
If it's your first, just write it now, beginning to end. Don't overthink it. Reading could be part of your writer's journey, a habit you just develop constantly. Unless your aim is just to write that one single story. Then research to your heart's content as long as it is not preventing you to do the only thing that matters: to write a complete story.
Mmmm 6 or so at this point. A few non-fiction, one that was a mix (AI 2041) and a couple fiction. But I'm still writing and then the series I'm reading rn is like, adjacent to my genre so I'm reading it for fun and for inspo.
Depends on the story, ranging from none to a handful, plus various vids, etc. Latest thriller series, I pride myself on getting the details right when it comes to guns, weapons, etc, etc and first part takes place in Vietnam and involves the CIA run SOG units. I read 5 or some books, watched a lot of YT vids with men that were in that unit, and so forth. I wanted every detail, down to exact load outs, locations, etc accurate. My military thrillers appeal to "gun guys" and those who really appreciate the details, hate it when the author does not get that stuff right. Science fiction? Well, that can require little to no research as I have a decent science background and imagination.
In the past four weeks I've read The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass series), Wintersong, A Curse So Dark And Lonely, IC
ce Planet Barbarians, The Gilded Cage, and now I'm on to Fourth Wing, because I've never written romantasy before but this current WIP contains romantasy elements so I want to see how the tropes are handled.
Well for the current thing I’m writing, I’m reading 2-3 novels in rotation for things I like in terms of style and story, so much research on various kinds of physics for the protagonist, lots of books of early twentieth century poetry for the other protagonist, and I’m sure I’ll be pulling a lot more off the shelf as the novel progresses
I just read as I usually would and if I ever come across something that inspires me, I take a note of it and later decide whether I want to use it in my manuscript. I don’t read books for research only, but some of the books I read for pleasure end up being part of my research.
Personally, I haven't read any books specifically to help with my project, but I definitely have read and continued to read ones that have influenced my work/approach.
Granted, I'm writing fantasy, so I have more freedom to handmade and pull things out of thin air than someone writing something like historical fiction.
12.5 works of fiction, 2 reference books, 3 nonfiction books, but it really should be more. I get a lot of ideas from history and it bothers me when things aren't accurate.
i'm probably at 10 and i have yet to find anything which is similar to mine in terms of length and vibe of the book. i took far more of what i DONT want my book to be from these books i've been reading as i look for comps.
I mean I’m constantly reading fiction for fun, and subconsciously criticizing writing styles and character development as I’m reading. I also pay close attention to the things I like and don’t like as a reader and make sure to avoid the things I really dislike in my own writing.
Books that I’ve specifically read for my novel, Mythology by Edith Hamilton (my bible) and maybe 2 others for additional source information. I also rely on google and other websites for historical accuracy even though it’s not a historical fiction. I still want to make sure the story feels believable.
I can’t imagine the work it takes to write a true historical fiction and making sure to get every detail correct. Props to those authors.
I’m writing a folk horror novel set in the Scottish Highlands, so I’ve researched the area online, plus I’m reading Nan Shepherd’s seminal nonfiction fiction book about the region, “The Living Mountain”. For the horror element I’ve been reading similar contemporary fiction like “The Loney” by Andrew Michael Hurley, and older stuff like “The Great God Pan” by Arthur Machen. And there are some movies I want to watch to absorb the vibe, like Midsommer and Annihilation. I’ve always loved “The Wicker Man “, which is my original reference point.
Historical fiction during Napoleonic Wars I could fill a bookshelf with research. Everything from 600-page history books to private soldiers’ journals to kids picture books showing uniforms of various regiments.
Did that stop Reddit’s button-counters from coming at me in the comments? No, no it did not.
Lesson learned forget research, make up your own story and let anyone who doesn’t like it write their own godamn book
0 lmao (even though i probably should). I'd need to read a lot of philosophy books but I'm too lazy for that. Just looking up the general ideas/perspectives of them on internet/wiki/chatgpt is probably enough.
There's also the aspect of wanting to come up with my own ideas at first to see if they're good enough.
you need to read 6 novels, 4 non-fiction, 5 short stories, 2-3 novellas, and a few novelettes (it is recommended you NOT read fanfic as it can undo everything you read previous to it)
And a partridge in a pear tree
exactly!
Read a Chilton's Auto Repair book. You will learn alot about yourself.
.
can you at least narrow it down to brand? like chevy, or pontiac...
And, as a reminder, Chilton's was the original publisher of Frank Herbert's Dune.
Everything I ever read is a valid answer right? Or do you mean like specifically sought out for a story?
+1
Specifically sought out for a story.
Almost none, honestly. I have a difficult time finding books I like sometimes. So I had a reading binge, paid attention to everything I read, wrote my book, and then read other books again before editing.
I probably read 20+ books in those creation gaps.
Uncountable. My story is a synthesis of everything from Star Trek, 3 Body Problem, anime, and more.
How long is it taking you to write? It's been months and I've barely written my story because I'm still reading books for it.
If it's your first, just write it now, beginning to end. Don't overthink it. Reading could be part of your writer's journey, a habit you just develop constantly. Unless your aim is just to write that one single story. Then research to your heart's content as long as it is not preventing you to do the only thing that matters: to write a complete story.
Do movies and anime count as reading books? Lol
No
3 fiction, 2 nonfiction
Mmmm 6 or so at this point. A few non-fiction, one that was a mix (AI 2041) and a couple fiction. But I'm still writing and then the series I'm reading rn is like, adjacent to my genre so I'm reading it for fun and for inspo.
2 i think
Magick
Depends on the story, ranging from none to a handful, plus various vids, etc. Latest thriller series, I pride myself on getting the details right when it comes to guns, weapons, etc, etc and first part takes place in Vietnam and involves the CIA run SOG units. I read 5 or some books, watched a lot of YT vids with men that were in that unit, and so forth. I wanted every detail, down to exact load outs, locations, etc accurate. My military thrillers appeal to "gun guys" and those who really appreciate the details, hate it when the author does not get that stuff right. Science fiction? Well, that can require little to no research as I have a decent science background and imagination.
In the past four weeks I've read The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass series), Wintersong, A Curse So Dark And Lonely, IC ce Planet Barbarians, The Gilded Cage, and now I'm on to Fourth Wing, because I've never written romantasy before but this current WIP contains romantasy elements so I want to see how the tropes are handled.
I have three more books to read for it too.
Well for the current thing I’m writing, I’m reading 2-3 novels in rotation for things I like in terms of style and story, so much research on various kinds of physics for the protagonist, lots of books of early twentieth century poetry for the other protagonist, and I’m sure I’ll be pulling a lot more off the shelf as the novel progresses
I just read as I usually would and if I ever come across something that inspires me, I take a note of it and later decide whether I want to use it in my manuscript. I don’t read books for research only, but some of the books I read for pleasure end up being part of my research.
I’ll let you know when I’ve stopped.
The day I stop reading, they’ll need to cover me up before I start to decay and stink up the place.
Personally, I haven't read any books specifically to help with my project, but I definitely have read and continued to read ones that have influenced my work/approach.
Granted, I'm writing fantasy, so I have more freedom to handmade and pull things out of thin air than someone writing something like historical fiction.
Everything I've ever read is research for everything I will ever write.
12.5 works of fiction, 2 reference books, 3 nonfiction books, but it really should be more. I get a lot of ideas from history and it bothers me when things aren't accurate.
i'm probably at 10 and i have yet to find anything which is similar to mine in terms of length and vibe of the book. i took far more of what i DONT want my book to be from these books i've been reading as i look for comps.
I mean I’m constantly reading fiction for fun, and subconsciously criticizing writing styles and character development as I’m reading. I also pay close attention to the things I like and don’t like as a reader and make sure to avoid the things I really dislike in my own writing.
Books that I’ve specifically read for my novel, Mythology by Edith Hamilton (my bible) and maybe 2 others for additional source information. I also rely on google and other websites for historical accuracy even though it’s not a historical fiction. I still want to make sure the story feels believable.
I can’t imagine the work it takes to write a true historical fiction and making sure to get every detail correct. Props to those authors.
I’m writing a folk horror novel set in the Scottish Highlands, so I’ve researched the area online, plus I’m reading Nan Shepherd’s seminal nonfiction fiction book about the region, “The Living Mountain”. For the horror element I’ve been reading similar contemporary fiction like “The Loney” by Andrew Michael Hurley, and older stuff like “The Great God Pan” by Arthur Machen. And there are some movies I want to watch to absorb the vibe, like Midsommer and Annihilation. I’ve always loved “The Wicker Man “, which is my original reference point.
Historical fiction during Napoleonic Wars I could fill a bookshelf with research. Everything from 600-page history books to private soldiers’ journals to kids picture books showing uniforms of various regiments.
Did that stop Reddit’s button-counters from coming at me in the comments? No, no it did not.
Lesson learned forget research, make up your own story and let anyone who doesn’t like it write their own godamn book
I tried that but it ended up sounding too modern and western for the type of story that I wanted to write.
Oh hey I write in that era too! Most redditors are impossible to please but I'm not, are you published?
Well, mine meant reading in a subgenre that I am still reading in. It's easily hundreds of mostly novels, now.
0 lmao (even though i probably should). I'd need to read a lot of philosophy books but I'm too lazy for that. Just looking up the general ideas/perspectives of them on internet/wiki/chatgpt is probably enough.
There's also the aspect of wanting to come up with my own ideas at first to see if they're good enough.
My inspiration is more from music