Writing and Reading

 by Ashley Lister

 My plans for 2013 are as follows:

     ·            I’m going to write more.

     ·            I’m going to read more.

The plan to write more will be fun. Aside from writing for the Dead Good Blog, I also write for Erotica Readers Association and I’ve set up a new blog called How to Write Erotic Fiction.

The How to Write Erotic Fiction blog ties in with the publication of my first ever text book: How to Write 

Erotic Fiction. That will be launched in early March, coinciding with my presenting a paper/workshop in London at Eroticon 2013.

This year I’m also hoping to produce a follow up novel to my erotic title Dragon Desire. Writing in a fantasy scenario is surprisingly addictive. I know I’ve said some unkind things about Tolkien in the past (unkind, but not untrue) yet I can see why he wrote in the genre. Writing about a world that is so fundamentally different to our world is one hell of a challenge – but it’s immensely rewarding when it works out.

I also aim to write one new short story each week. I’ve managed two so far this week, so I’m already ahead on that particular resolution. But I suppose I’ll have to see how the rest of the year goes with that one.

Also this year I’d like to write something that is completely unerotic in its content – just to prove that I can. I’d like to write something with aspirations at being intellectual. However, whenever I attempt to work in that genre, my characters either end up making lewd jokes or simply having sex.

Sometimes they do both and it never looks intellectual.

Obviously, now that the Dead Good Poets are meeting once a month, I’m intending to produce two poems a month. I’m also hoping I can produce poetry that maybe fits in the family friendly section of a poetry event, although perhaps that’s being a little too optimistic.

And, this year, I’d like to read more. I’d also like some suggestions for what I should try to read.

In 2012 I finished reading the current titles in George R R Martin’s Song of Ice and Fire epic. I’m also halfway through Terry Goodkind’s Sword of Truth series, which are surprisingly addictive. Whilst I was going through that phase of fantasy worlds I also got through the Lord of the Rings.

Also in 2012 I managed to get through The Hunger Games trilogy, The Help, Suskind’s Perfume, and I revisited some Sherlock Holmes and Miss Marples titles.

In non-fiction I worked my way through some Bill Bryson titles that had escaped me when they were first released and I’m currently picking my way through a non-fiction book of English Magicks. There were probably some other titles too – such as How to Improve Your Memory – but I can’t remember what they were.

I’m now armed with a Kindle app on my smartphone and a comparatively eclectic palate in literature. In the comments box below, please share any titles that you think I might enjoy.