Reading and Writing Seasons by Allison Symes

 Image Credit:  Images created in Book Brush using Pixabay photos.

I can guess what you’re thinking. There is no such thing as a reading/writing season. We read and/or write all year around, right? True but do you find there are certain times of year when you read certain types of book? Or you write certain types of story in the winter as opposed to the summer?

 

I love reading humorous works throughout the year but I read more during the autumn and winter months. If you don’t need cheery reading then, when would you? I usually find I write more humorous flash fiction during this period too. 

I write festive flash fiction, which is cheery by its nature, so have often written some during the autumn and submitted it somewhere in the run up to that word beginning with C we won’t mention yet because it is far too early to do so. (Supermarkets, please note).

My TBR pile has a good old mix in it, which is how I like it, and this is consistent all year but the funny books get pushed to the top as the evenings draw in. Wodehouse and Pratchett are my comfort reads here. 

Talking of which it is time to re-read the latter’s Reaper Man. I always re-read that around harvest festival time. I will be turning to Hogfather once more in the run up to the C word. Incidentally there was a film adaptation of that which I like a lot. Highly recommend if you haven’t seen it. 

Also love a certain seasonal Muppet film (the one with Michael Caine, yes that one) and Gonzo’s recommendation at the end to read the book (Dickens, I can’t give any more clues here). He’s not wrong!

I also find I have periods where I just want to read non-fiction, then fiction, then mix them up. It means I get plenty of reading done.

Writing wise, I have slots where I focus on my flash fiction. Other slots I reserve for my blogging so I get to have mini seasons of fictional and non-fiction writing every week for most of the year. 

The writing season has its dips, naturally around holidays and life events. That used to worry me. It doesn’t now. I’ve come to realise consistency matters more. Also you can come out of dips! It is just a question of how long it takes. 

This is also where it is lovely writing the short form as I know I can draft something fairly quickly I can polish later. I always feel better in myself knowing I’ve written something. I guess it’s because I am getting my “fix” of being creative with words. 

Maybe creative writing should come with a warning. Beware, this is addictive. You may  never be able to walk past a stationery shop ever again without feeling the urge to go and get a new notebook and pen!

There are worse vices…

What matters most though is enjoying my reading and writing seasons. I hope you love yours too.