You could never be a Writer if you could never be a Good reader?

@dianagnes (1088)
Singapore
July 18, 2008 2:01pm CST
You could never be a Writer if you are not a Good reader? Is it true?What's your opinion?
2 people like this
9 responses
• Philippines
19 Jul 08
Of course that is so true. You can never what and how to write if you have never gotten any knowledge, information, insights from what you read. Reading comes prior to writing. If you have nothing to write, then you should read. But that is not vice versa. Reading is essential for a person to be a good writer. A good writer has lots of inputs from what he/she reads. Definitely, one cannot write well if he/she lacks the passion for reading.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
21 Jul 08
How do you explain dyslexic writers then?
• Philippines
21 Jul 08
I think dyslexia is more about the difficulty on spelling words. Reading actually is not intentionally done to memorize spelling of words but it helps more in comprehension and information. A writer is someone who can truly expresses his thought even how bad his spelling is. And where does he get these ideas? From the things he read and experienced. However, if we are to qualify what a good writer is, he really must be good in spelling, vocabulary, grammar and most of all knows what to write.
• United States
18 Jul 08
The "key" word here is write. Unless you read, the process of becoming a good "writer" is nearly impossible. Here's a hint as to why I say this : " Today I went with my mom to town and we had a good talk about life on the way there". Unless you read that sentence and caught the sequel of events and how they took place, you could have turned that into 3 sentences by adding just a few words. Reading will help you find your own variations in writing skills.
1 person likes this
@dianagnes (1088)
• Singapore
18 Jul 08
Thank You.Thats how people succeed to write well.=)
• India
19 Jul 08
Hi dianagnes, It is true. Only if you are good reader, you get your thinking and knowledge improved, which will inturn pave way for writing. Good Luck.
1 person likes this
• United States
18 Jul 08
The more we read, the more familiar we are with elements of plot, setting, theme, and, especially character. It's possible, I guess, for someone who doesn't read to write. However, it's highly unlikely there would be any real quality in the writing. We don't steal from other writers, but we do see all the ways in which things may be done.
1 person likes this
@dianagnes (1088)
• Singapore
18 Jul 08
Those who write do have interest in reading.=) Thanks!
• United States
18 Jul 08
It makes sense to me. How else are you going to grasp the language and learn how to capture people's attention and imagination if you don't read and study such a thing yourself? I try to read every chance I get, either online or the printed word at home, and I think it helps greatly with my writing.
1 person likes this
@dianagnes (1088)
• Singapore
18 Jul 08
That's right.Thanks!
@valeria1 (2721)
• United States
19 Jul 08
It is all connected to words. How can you write something if you do not have an extensive vocabulary. That is why you have to read to learn new words and with that create new ideas and thoughts.
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
21 Jul 08
I don't think that this is true at all. Just look at the dyslexic writers out there. You have to have basic language skills to start writing and you might pick it up faster if you read. But I think my writing is far better than my reading. If you made me read out loud what I just typed, it would not be pretty. But I don't think it comes out too bad when I write.
@dpk262006 (58675)
• Delhi, India
21 Jul 08
I entirely agree with the statement, firstly we need to be a good reader and listener too, otherwise we cannot be good writer. A writer gather his thoughts from surroundings and day to day experiences and if he is keenly observing all the things, he can write in a better way.
• United States
18 Jul 08
The best writers tend to also be good readers. The two tend to naturally go together.