If you want to write well, you really do need to read.
No, I don't mean books on writing. I mean all kinds of books. Both fiction and non-fiction, genres you love and genres you don't care for, popular or well known authors and obscure authors. The more you read, the more inspiration you will find and the better the quality of your writing will get. By all means read books which are considered classics. But read newly published work too.
Read books on writing if you really want.
My experience with books on writing, especially by well established prolific authors, is they forget that every single writer has a unique writing style and what works for one is NOT guaranteed to work for another. I can't help cringing when I see people recommend Stephen King's On Writing. (Yes, I've read it.) I think every aspiring writer is far better off to just read anything and everything which catches their interest and give consideration to books others recommend to them.
Now, you can write even if you don't read anyone else's work at all. And maybe the writing will be okay. But why take the risk? Why settle for adequate or okay writing when you could do something relatively easy (not to mention relaxing) and your writing could be so much better?
No, I don't mean books on writing. I mean all kinds of books. Both fiction and non-fiction, genres you love and genres you don't care for, popular or well known authors and obscure authors. The more you read, the more inspiration you will find and the better the quality of your writing will get. By all means read books which are considered classics. But read newly published work too.
Read books on writing if you really want.
My experience with books on writing, especially by well established prolific authors, is they forget that every single writer has a unique writing style and what works for one is NOT guaranteed to work for another. I can't help cringing when I see people recommend Stephen King's On Writing. (Yes, I've read it.) I think every aspiring writer is far better off to just read anything and everything which catches their interest and give consideration to books others recommend to them.
Now, you can write even if you don't read anyone else's work at all. And maybe the writing will be okay. But why take the risk? Why settle for adequate or okay writing when you could do something relatively easy (not to mention relaxing) and your writing could be so much better?
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