Weak vs. Strong

I'm tired of female characters who make stupid decisions. Like going out at night, alone, when you know someone's been stalking you for weeks. I mean, really? Even if it's a technique to build suspense, I don't like it. My friend and crit partner refers to this as the BSS, or the Bella Swan Syndrome.

I prefer kick-ass female protagonists (picture Buffy or Katniss). Aren't those the models we want for teenage girls, ones who stand up for their beliefs and protect their friends and family? Yet, I keep reading YA books with female characters that make me want to hurl my Kindle across the room (don't worry, I love my Kindle too much to actually follow through with it).

As a writer, my characters don't start off strong. They have struggles. They're naive. They're unsure of themselves. But they grow into better versions of themselves as they face their fears and self-doubt. These are the kinds of protagonists I want to read about. 

But maybe that's just me. What about you? What kinds of characters do you prefer to read or write?

Books, Books, Books

I was at the doctor's office the other day for a routine physical exam. Although the doctor goes to church with my parents, I'd never met him before. Like all new doctors, he asked me questions to get to know me, probably to help me feel at ease in his office.

I had a book with me--which I'm never without in a doctor's office because of all the waiting and waiting and waiting--so it sparked some conversation. Okay, a lot of conversation. (I now know that half of his kids like to read, the others don't, his wife reads, but he reads nothing more than scientific journals. But I digress.) He asked me what I do when I'm not reading. My response? I write.

The truth is ... books are a huge part of my life. I'm either reading them, writing them, or teaching them. I can't image life without them, and I've passed on my love of reading to my son. It makes me proud to see his eyes light up when he talks about a book. And the great part? It happens over and over again each time he submerges himself in a new book. I hope he never loses his enthusiasm for reading. 

I consider myself lucky that my parents supported my love of reading too. Every summer or Christmas vacation, my mom took me to the library, and I'd come home with stacks of books. And even better, my family provided me the means to buy a Kindle for my birthday.

Yes, I own a Kindle. That doesn't mean I won't ever buy a regular book again (my Kindle will NOT be joining me in a bubble bath!). But I like the ease of finding a good book to read without having to worry about shipping or waiting for my holds to come in at the library. Even better: my suitcase will be tons lighter the next time I travel.

I know there are those who fear what eBooks may do to the publishing industry. But I think anything that makes reading accessible to more people is a good thing. I've even had students bring their Kindles or Nooks to class during independent reading. eBooks are just one more way to enjoy reading. 

What about you? Do you have an eReader? Why or why not? And most important, what books should I buy for my Kindle? :)

Once Upon a Read-a-Thon Begins Today!

Get ready ... Get set ... Start reading!  

Today is the first day in a three day read-a-thon, sponsored by Angela at The Reading Angel.  You can join in the festivities from her blog.  Each day from July 12 to July 14, there will be mini-activities that you can complete (and there are PRIZES!).

These are the books on my list to read:

A Blue So Dark by Holly Schindler

Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams

The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe

So grab your own books and start reading! What's the next book you're going to read?

Gateway Books

In celebration of today's release of Eclipse, I want to praise the Twilight saga.  Now, this is not meant to be a forum to debate Stephenie Meyer's writing skills (we all know there are passionate feelings on both sides of the spectrum).  Instead, I want to focus on her books from the viewpoint of a high school English teacher.

As writers, it's easy for us to question why some books get published, especially when we feel adamant that we are better writers.  But as an English teacher, I've learned to appreciate any book that my students read.  My job is to get my students to read.  And to enjoy reading.  If it means they read a Twilight novel rather than Shakespeare, I'm okay with that.  Because at least they're reading.

We've all heard the term "gateway drugs."  (If not, Dictionary.com defines it here.)  But have you ever heard of gateway books?  These are the books that turn non-readers into readers.  I see that happen every school year. 

That's why I put every book I buy (or win in a contest or obtain as a donation) on my classroom shelf.  Because I never know which book will be the next gateway book for my students.  If I can help at least one non-reader become a reader, I'll feel like I've done my job.  

Let's be realistic as writers.  We need readers.  How else can we make a living as writers?  I applaud those writers, the ones like Stephenie Meyer, who can spin a great story and create energetic teen readers.

Here's my question to you: What were your gateway books?  Which ones helped you to become readers and/or writers? 

Reading Like a Writer

I've noticed a subtle change lately in the way I read. I've always been a voracious reader; it's not unusual for me to finish 2-3 books in a weekend.  But now, I read differently.  I pay attention to the language used, I analyze the characters, and I critique the plot.  Who knew writing would interfere with my love of reading?  Now, I'm not saying it's a bad thing.  It's just different.  

Does it make me a better writer?  Definitely.  Whenever I give my high school students a new writing assignment, I provide them with models.  Reading good books provides the same benefits.  We can learn from the experts.  Earnest Gaines, author of A Lesson before Dying, provides writers with sage advice: "The Six Golden Rules of Writing: Read, read, read, and write, write, write."

But what about poorly written books?  Is there a benefit in reading them too?  Stephen King, in his book On Writing, believes that "bad books have more to teach than good ones."  When we can identify the weaknesses in a poorly written book, then we can find out what to avoid or to improve in our own writing.

What do you think?  Is reading beneficial?  Would you spend your time reading "bad books" too?  How has reading affected your own writing?

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