Reading Resolutions by Alex English

It’s the beginning of the new year, and, like many people, my thoughts have turned to plans and goals for the year. For me, it’s not just the calendar year that’s new. I’ve recently graduated with a masters in Writing for Young People, which has meant the end of two years of structure in an otherwise freelance life. The novel I wrote during that course has been polished and sent off, and I’m now eager to get on with new projects. So what should I do now? What should I write? What should I read?

One thing I loved about my masters course was being told what I should be doing. I loved working through the reading list, being set homework and having regular meetings with my workshop group. So this year, I’ve decided to set my own reading list. Here’s how I’m breaking it down.

Keeping up to date 

Because I write for young people, I do at least attempt to keep up with the torrent of new and exciting books that are coming out. I live in France so it’s difficult to browse English titles in bookshops, but I’m sometimes disappointed if I read the next big thing without dipping into it first. I’ve recently discovered the free downloadable extracts on lovereading4kids and will be using those to sample new releases before deciding which ones to read in full. The Lost Magician by Piers Torday is top of my list.

Lost gems 

At the other end of the spectrum, I’ve recently discovered a passion for out-of-print titles. There’s something very exciting about getting your hands on a copy of something old and unusual. Joan Aiken is one of my favourite authors and I am gradually working through her back catalogue, picking up secondhand copies of her out-of-print short story collections and lesser-known novels. I’ve also recently enjoyed Help! I am a Prisoner in a Toothpaste Factory by John Antrobus and Rebecca's World by Terry Nation. I’ll be seeking out more rare reading treasure in 2019.

Non-fiction 

I have got into the (bad) habit of only reading non-fiction when it’s research, but in 2019 I plan to change that. I received a clutch of interesting titles for Christmas and in 2019 I’ll be reading non-fiction with a sense of adventure and exploration, rather than searching for something specific.

Fiction in translation 

I’ll also be looking to broaden my 2019 writing horizons by reading more fiction in translation. Last year I read and loved The Beast Player, an epic YA fantasy by Japanese author Nahako Uehashi, translated by Cathy Hirano. I’ll be keeping a close eye on Pushkin Press for their new releases.

Just for fun 

And finally, just to counteract all that planning, I’m also going to read for the sheer fun of it, something that can often be forgotten once writing becomes a serious part of your life. I’m going to browse for unexpected books in real bookshops whenever I get the chance. I recently moseyed around Waterstones and picked up Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss and Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami. They don’t relate directly to anything I’m planning to write, I just liked the look of them. Sometimes planning to be spontaneous can be the best planning of all!

How do you map out your reading year? Are you a planner like me or do you just take it as it comes? Have you sniffed out any out-of-print gems or stumbled upon a must-read for 2019? I would love to hear all about it in the comments.

The Ebb and Flow of Writing - Lynn Huggins-Cooper

I don't know about you, but I find my writing goes in cycles. Not regular, rhythmic patterns, but surges and ebbs. Sometimes I think it is linked to seasonal changes. It is September, and like many people who have been in the educational world for many years, it feels like time for new beginnings. I have a novel that needs a second draft, but I am feeling new ideas nudging at the corners of my thoughts.

The problem is knowing what to write first. It's easy to start - but it's the finishing that's the thing. Writers all have half-finished, part-formed books. They lurk there in drawers and on book cases, waiting to be completed. I take them out from time and tinker with them, and sometimes they 'grow legs' and walk.

In the past I have found that when my writing is at a low ebb, other creative activities help to get me fired up again. That's the great thing about having a 'double life,' working as a textiles artist as well as a writer; the two lives complement each other.

My two lives are starting to mesh together. I am now starting to illustrate my own work with my felting and stitching. It's been a revelation! It means I want to work all of the time, though...but one side of my work fires up the other and I just don't want to stop. Luckily, autumn is my favourite season, so the call of the woods gets too much for me, and I *do* get outside every day. Then there's the apple-and-spice autumnal cookery to do...

I still teach a lot - writing and felting rather than the PGCE students I used to teach - and one of my students remarked rather wistfully the other day as she was leaving class that my life was rather idyllic. You know what? She was right. 

(You can see more of my textiles work at Faerierealms and hear about writing at Book Nurture well - should you feel the desire!)