Kathleen Paterka asked Jennifer Weiner:

Hi Jennifer, You mention that you're always reading, usually a novel and sometimes poetry. When you're actively involved in writing a rough draft, do you worry that your writing 'voice' will be affected or influenced in any way by the novel you're currently reading? ~ Kathleen P.S. LOVE your novels (currently reading WHO DO YOU LOVE).

Jennifer Weiner I always need to be careful that what I'm reading isn't messing with the voice of the book that I'm writing -- or making me completely depressed about my own skills, or lack of same. I remember being in the midst of the very last round of revisions for IN HER SHOES, and picking up some super-deluxe literary title and being depressed to the point of immobility. "I suck! I'll never be this good! Why even try!" Which doesn't mean that I don't want to be inspired. I want to push myself, I want my writing to get sharper with each book....but it's a fine line between something that's going to raise the bar and something that's going to make you want to drop the bar on your foot so you can go to the Urgent Care center instead of back to work.

flag