As writers and authors, we not only write stories, but also enjoy reading them. It is part of the writing life to immerse ourselves in our own characters and their journeys, but also those of other authors – whether in the same genre or not. Reading books is a vital part of our growth as a writer for research into the expectations of readers in our chosen genre, the construction of plot, character development and the changing styles and constant merging of genres. This helps us keep up with the trends of a fast developing industry.

It is interesting to know that World Book Day, is also known as World Book and Copyright Day, and International Day of the Book. It is an annual event organized by UNESCO to promote reading, publishing, and copyright. As writers and authors celebrating and promoting reading and the importance of copyright is paramount in safegauarding our work and that of other writing community advocates.

We all have favourite authors and genres as well as that special book that propelled us into the world of story. It can be a childhood tale, or a novel that inspired and enchanted us so much that it stays with us year after year. For me that book is Ferney by James Long. It is a time travel, reincarnation story of two people finding each other over time again and again, sometimes successfully other times not. I have reread this book a lot and can picture the village, the surrounding valley and the cottage so clearly it has become a ‘real’ place to me. That is the magic of story.

Which book started you on your writing journey?