I’ve been reading for a long long time. By the age of 14 I had read everyone of the 108 Biggles books, thanks to the local library, plus all the Famous Five and Secret Seven. Yes, I am that old.

Since then I have occasionally binge read scifi, fantasy and crime and dipped into current  general fiction. But then I have a love for those who write outside the box like  Murakami, Calvino,  Kafka and Emily Bronte, for example.

I’m not suggesting you follow my tastes, I am encouraging you to read as much and as widely possible as time will allow. Although you will be reading for entertainment, the styles, use of dialogue and narrative voices as well as more genre specific characteristics will seep in and help you find your own form and style.