The last thing a literary person wants to experience is trouble reading. That has been my unhappy situation far too often of late. Do you share this malady? Believe me, I understand the frustration. In this post, I explain what I discovered that helped me regain the ability to read.
Contributing Factors
Part of the problem was not enough time to dedicate to recreational activities like reading. Lack of focus was another reason. That one was harder to pin down. After paying close attention, I admitted to myself that spending so much time on my smartphone was consuming time I’d previously spent reading. It was also interfering with my ability to concentrate. Stress wasn’t helping matters, either.
Solutions
Simply knowing the root causes of my trouble reading inspired solutions. Streamlining tasks carved out time I didn’t know I had in my day. Work expands to fill the time allotted for it, but I discovered that setting internal deadlines helps me tap into the old-fashioned concept of self-discipline to accomplish more in less time.
Of course, I’m tempted to pile on more commitments to my crowded schedule. I resist the urge and dedicate myself to fulfilling the ones I’ve already made. Commitments are where I choose what my life will look like for months, and even years, to come. They warrant careful scrutiny.
The life of an author is guaranteed to contain a lot of stress. Deadlines, frustrated ambitions, and self-criticism can all take a toll. I started by implementing mandatory quiet time for an hour before bedtime each night. Candlelight or subdued lighting and soft music or simply silence lend themselves well to reducing stress. Add a good book to read in bed, and reading is becoming easier.
I’m working to reduce the other stressors. Putting my ambitions in their place and letting go of self-censure both take time and effort. Grappling them down to size should bring about peace of mind.
The biggest lesson I learned is that having trouble reading is a symptom, not the malady itself. If you are in a similar position, I hope that reading how I came through my own trouble reading will help you find solutions for yourself.
Sometimes the reading material is the problem. Books worth reading are worth tracking down. I wish I could make a list for you, but the genres and titles are different for everyone. Find authors whose writing transports you and books that speak to your soul. Why make overcoming trouble reading harder than it has to be? You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find suitable books. Online book sites often allow you to download free samples of books you are considering purchasing. Also, authors often post chapters from their books on their websites to help readers familiarize themselves with their writing.
It would be remiss of me not to invite you to preview chapters from my books, currently in print. If you’re interested in medieval epic fantasy or western historical romance, click below to read free sample chapters.
Medieval Epic Fantasy Readers
Tales of Faeraven series:
DawnSinger
Wayfarer
Western Historical Romance Readers
Montana Gold series:
Hills of Nevermore
Cheyenne Sunrise
Stagecoach to Liberty
