One of the bonuses of being a writer is that you need to read a lot – something I enjoy. So much it can be problematic, and might even be an addiction! I am on Goodreads (K. Morral) and have written a Goodreads blog post on this problem… I may add this here shortly.

Reading as a writer, particularly with a broad spectrum of authors/ genres/ styles/ perspectives etc., broadens our experience. It is a natural form of education and can be inspiring. You can find out what works, what doesn’t and can be unexpectedly inspiring. Of course it is key to avoid plagiarism.

My current reading challenge, however, is for a specific purpose. In order to submit a novel to an agent, the first in a potential series of which the second book is my current work in progress, it is useful to be able to identify similar books. Books and authors with the same writing style, or the same genre give agents an idea of the potential market for any new novel and can help with the sales pitch. So I understand at any rate, and it does make sense.

So I’m currently trying to read as many ghost or ghost-like stories as I can. Ironically, of the 3 books I’ve read so far from my ‘ghost story’ library search, not one of them has actually had a ghost. Despite this, I can say that “The Hawley Book of the Dead” does share some similarities. Consider this a teaser as I am not yet ready to reveal any information about my work.

I’m reviewing all books as I read them, so far completed: “The Hawley Book of the Dead” by Chrysler Szarlan and “Wakenhyrst” by Michelle Paver. I’m part way through “The Haunting of Gad’s Hall” by Norah Lofts.

But the complication of all this research reading… it takes time away from my own writing (and other useful household tasks!). Getting my work-writing-research-life balanced is an on-going challenge.