: Re: To read or not to read similar works before write my own? I was thinking if is better or worst to read other works that share similar ideas to the story you want to write before you start

@Caterina108

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First Hand Knowledge

One main reason to read in the genre you want to write something - say young adults - is because you want to understand through direct knowledge what it is about that style that readers like, hence I would read the most popular.
This has multiple benefits:

You get to find out where they can be improved. What is missing? Why do you think that could add more details
You get to find out what makes them great. What do fans like about the story? What do they think makes these the best of the genre?
At the worse case, you will find that you hate the genre.

I know some people are worried about polluting their ideas, but if you can answer two main questions:
- How is my product different than some of the bigger names in the biz?
- How is my product similar to some of the products in the biz?

I take as an example Digimon, which was pitched as a TV series rivaling Pokemon in the early 2000s. When the exec asked how it was different from Pokemon, the answer was It's exactly the same thing, but our stuff is in a computer world

I have no interest in writing young adult, my thing is Historical Fiction. By reading multiple authors with successful books, I have gained a few dos/don'ts and my own understanding of where they did not go far enough and when they become too specific. Chances are, if you enjoy a style and you read some, then you partake of something you enjoy...

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