Aug 28, 2010

Slow down your reading

Below is a snippet of a talk given by Francine Prose, posibly my favourite writer on the subject of writing.  I suspect that we might share some political leanings as well.

When asked what one piece of advice he could give to readers it was to slow down.

Enjoy.

Posted by Sean Wright at 7:13 PM
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Desertgirl · 759 weeks ago

Thanks for this. She's so right about slowing down. Many years ago the writer Bryce Courtenay mentioned this at one of his book launches. He exhorted us to slow down and savour the words, the sentences, to not rush through the book no matter how exciting. These days I deliberately slow my reading down (which is hard to do when you're reading thrillers or crime fiction), I drag out the book. I allow myself to wallow and savour the scenes. And when I've put the book aside for the evening, I allow my imagination to reign free with all manner of ideas on what may happen next. For me it adds to the enjoyment of the story.

And when I apply the technique to a more "literary" novel, it allows me to see the true beauty of the words and the craft of the writer.

My recent post desertgirl-2- @SeandBlogonaut I have to go in on Tue &amp Wed to process the payroll After all- even I have a vested interest in being paid -
1 reply · active 759 weeks ago
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SB Wright 110p · 759 weeks ago

I finished off Tomorrow When the War began yesterday. I did find it hard to hold back my reading with that one.

I will have to try your technique of focussed imagining on my next book though. Tell me does it ever lead you to unravel the mystery in crime novels before its revealed in the book?

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