I had a conversation sometime last week with someone about writing. The lady wanted to know how to get into it but wasn’t sure what she wanted to write about. I asked her what kind of books appealed to her. I was a little stumped when she said she didn’t read much. I subsequently asked if there was any voice that appealed to her in general out there or inside her head.
After a few minutes of musing, she said she fancied Desperate Housewives and Sex in the City. “Drama then?” I asked but she seemed uncertain. We couldn't settle on anything so I suggested reading books from different genres and authors to get an idea of what she'd like to write about. She appeared mortified by the idea.
It led me to thinking – is it possible to write if you don’t read? Of course if you went to school, you can write but that doesn’t necessarily equate to writer. Perhaps the question should be, “Can you improve as a writer if you don’t read?”
Every successful writer I’ve known or heard off was also a lover of books. My journey to writing began with a love of reading from age 5. To me, it seems logical that the two go hand in hand together. Certainly, natural talent goes a long way but talent still needs to be nurtured and developed. You can’t get by on just the natural talent alone. Musicians and actors go to performing arts schools, painters learn how to draw and study the masters, writers read.
It led me to thinking – is it possible to write if you don’t read? Of course if you went to school, you can write but that doesn’t necessarily equate to writer. Perhaps the question should be, “Can you improve as a writer if you don’t read?”
Every successful writer I’ve known or heard off was also a lover of books. My journey to writing began with a love of reading from age 5. To me, it seems logical that the two go hand in hand together. Certainly, natural talent goes a long way but talent still needs to be nurtured and developed. You can’t get by on just the natural talent alone. Musicians and actors go to performing arts schools, painters learn how to draw and study the masters, writers read.
A story comes from your heart and you can write 1,000 pages of utter drivel if you so wish. However, the rewrites come from your head and learning concise writing, proper grammar usage, pacing, setting development, etc comes from reading books. The more you read, the better you get at writing. It’s that simple.
You can write if you don’t read. However, I wouldn’t expect what you’re penning will be the next Lord of the Rings. It’s possible there’s an exception to this but like I said, I’ve never met a writer who didn’t love reading.
You can write if you don’t read. However, I wouldn’t expect what you’re penning will be the next Lord of the Rings. It’s possible there’s an exception to this but like I said, I’ve never met a writer who didn’t love reading.
