What to Read? Everything.

Time for serious Abbi to talk.

If you're a writer, you read, bottom line. In his bookOn Writing, Stephen King wrote: "If you don't have the time to read, you don't have the time or tools to write."

Well, I'd like to add a little twist to that: Don't just read what you intend, to write, include what you don't intend to write on that TBR pile/list.



If you're focus is single title, then read short contemporary. If you want to write for Harlequin Presents, read Silhouette Desire or even Silhouette Romantic Suspense.

Why? Because you will learn about the differences between styles and genres. I think if you just read within the line or genre you're targeting you won't pick up on those subtle differences.

Reading a mystery, may help you come up with a plot twist for your series contemporary. Reading short contemporaries will give you a better grasp on inner conflict.

So what do you think?

Abbi :-)

Recasting a Story

Before you read my post, you need to go over and read the post by one of my critique partners and Sassy Sister Jane Mulberry.

Any-who, I'm in the process of rewriting the story I subbed for the HQN Medical pitch earlier this year. It's not as light as it used to be which means I have to recast. It means this guy is no longer Hayden:



Chris Pine was great as Hayden when I needed someone to be funny and quirky. I just can't see him as the serious type. Maybe someday if he does a Kramer vs. Kramer, I'll rethink it.

So, here's my new Hayden:



Tahmoh Penikett was my most recent Peek of the Week on the Sassy Sisters' blog. I think he qualifies better as someone who's trying to figure out why his lover of three years doesn't want to marry him. Brooding Hotness on the Rocks as I've nick-named him. Don't ya think?