Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Summer Interlude

I'm not sure what it is about summer that lends itself to me *not* writing more.  Maybe it's just the feeling of being busier, of the days being packed with more activity, but I find that I have less energy to devote to a proper blog entry than I should.

I'm reading more this year than last, certainly, which is taking up some of my free time.  Goodreads.com has an annual book-reading challenge.  This year, I signed up to read 50 books, which is about 15 more than last year.  "Wow," you might be saying to yourself.  "That seems like quite a bite to chew!"  As it turns out, there's a method to (or at least a reason for) that madness.

I've been enamored with the idea of writing seriously since high school, but have never been passionate enough about it to make it a full-time focus.  Despite that fact, I still study the craft (in passing) regularly.  Recall last summer's family vacation to Colorado.  Recall also that one of the books I read/finished on that trip was "On Writing" by Stephen King.  One of the things he emphasizes, and which is echoed by every other reference on the craft, is that writers need to read -- a LOT.  In fact, from that point on last year, I *did* read a lot (proof).

The result of all the above is that I've been reading quite a bit more this year, and have been enjoying it immensely.  So far, I've completed 32 books this year (4 ahead of schedule for the Goodreads challenge).  It's possible I'll hit 60, which would be pretty phenomenal.  Regaining a love for reading is well worth the effort.

All of this to say that despite the knowledge that I should be blogging more, and about more interesting things, I find myself making choices in favor of reading instead.  Maybe my passion is actually in consumption rather than production...