There is a common misconception that mystery authors spend their evenings exclusively with a magnifying glass and a stack of Golden Age detective novels. While I do love a classic whodunit, a significant portion of my life is spent reading far outside my own genre. If you were to peer at my current bedside table, you would find a dizzying mix of fast-paced thrillers, sprawling high fantasy, and perhaps a bit of mind-bending science fiction.
The Writer’s Classroom
Readers are often surprised by this variety, usually sticking to the one or two genres they love most. However, for a writer, every book is a masterclass. I find that keeping a varied “To Be Read” (TBR) pile is the best way to sharpen my tools. From a thriller, I can learn the mechanical precision and pacing required to make a book truly unputdownable. From fantasy, I learn how to build worlds so vivid they feel as real as the Yorkshire moors. And from science fiction, I learn the art of meticulous, evocative description—how to make the unfamiliar feel tangible.
Wisdom from the Greats
I am certainly not alone in this philosophy. Many of our most beloved authors have championed the necessity of reading broadly as the foundation of the craft:
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that.” — Stephen King
“I don’t think there’s any better way to learn how to write than by reading.” — P.D. James
By stepping into different worlds, I return to the Parchment Paper Mysteries with fresh eyes and a few new tricks up my sleeve to keep you guessing!