As an author, I’ve got to read heaps of books, but I’ve been in a reading slump and I’m slowly getting out.
I have hundreds of books, totally unread. There are two full bookshelves and a large compartment underneath my bed, along with more books coming.
I’m trying to read every day, for an hour at least (the hour before I write).
How did you get into the habit?
by TheSt0rmBringer
12 Comments
Keep doing that, it takes a month or so to form a habit. Force yourself to read an hour everyday and you’ll eventually get there. It takes time.
Since you’re an author, I assume you’re reading as a job and not for leisure. Having a routine in place that works for you will help greatly.
I take a book everywhere with me – I find there are times in every day when I’m waiting for whatever reason and then I pick up my book. I also read every night before bed, but I know that doesn’t work for everyone
Just desire really. I used to read a lot when I was a kid but once highschool rolled around I just cared more about video games and movies. In college I had to do a lot of reading for Literature and Philosophy classes, this did rekindle my love for awhile but after college I fell back into other things. Then about 2 years ago now I was recommended Blood Meridian and it changed everything lol. I really made me want to read more and so I have. I have so many books now and I just read what I want to read. I try to read at least 50 pages a day but thats really just a light challenge, what fuels me is genuinely wanting to experience the books I have been reading.
To me reading should be easy, it should be something you genuinely look forward to.
I go through periods where I read so much and can go the same not picking a book up, if you feel that you need to read before writing do so but why not just write? Your appitite for reading will come back at some point it ok not to read for a while.
As a (modest) author myself, I legit don’t remember: it’s always been like this since I was 7, never had any slump my whole life.
What book are you writing what’s it about?
I commute to work for 2 hours everyday and audiobook really helps alleviate the boredom.
For me the moment I learned to read. Gradually you learn what you enjoy reading. Also, I have an extensive collection of books, with hundreds unread (far more read btw). They patiently wait for the day I pick them up. No rush.
Just do it everyday, but if after 5 minutes you dont feel like continuing then stop (this is a Japanese way)
I don’t do it by time, then I’d just be looking at the clock. I do it by content – read a chapter a day at least. If they’re short chapters, sometimes I make it a goal to do more. Even in a slump I’m able to keep this up pretty easily and plod along. When I’m not in a slump, I read way more rapidly.
An hour a day might be too much if you’re in a slump. I commit to 10 pages a day, every single day of my life. This has sometimes led to quite insane instances like reading 10 pages at 3am after getting back from the club lol. But on most days I get sucked in and end up doing more than 10 pages. Then on days when I’m really slump-y it feels like ‘just’ 10 pages, either way you’re still in the habit.
On average it takes about 66 days to form a habit, so even if you push through with an hour a day, be aware that it should become more naturalistic after 2 months.
Have a book on you at all times.
DNF a book if you repeatedly find yourself struggling to pick it back up (or alternate with something you’re more excited to read).
When my TBR pile gets very large I find alternating fiction then non fiction when reading makes it feel more varied. If you only read fiction you could alternate between genres, classics vs contemporary, or writing tenses. If all your books are fiction, the same genre, the same age and the same tense then you might be in a slump because everything on your TBR is very same-y, and introducing a wild card might spruce up your wanting to read a bit!