How much do you think writers should read?

I think writers not only need to read more, but also need to experience more. Or else, what he write may lose contact with reality at last.

I personally feel that in order to be a good writer, you need to read a lot. A lot can be achieved from reading others' writings. First, you get information. Second, ideas can be triggered from reading. And lastly, one can model one's writing after another who has written very well.

I don't see how anyone can be a good writer if he doesn't read a lot. No one has enough ideas or good thoughts all on their own to be able to entertain or teach anyone else without input from someone else. Reading to learn how to write can be boring, but reading good literature teaches one to write well without working so hard at it.

I have been reading a lot more since I don't have cable. I feel like I've become a better writer as a result. So far, I've read ten books out of my planned 100 for the year. I listen to audio books as I write. I read before I go to bed every night. I think that writers should try to read at least a book a week. Go to the library and pick out whatever strikes your fancy. Read for fun. Too often we forget that why we became writers is to write the stories that we wanted to read but didn't exist. Prior to this year, I'd forgotten that too. I was too obsessed with the practice of the craft and forgot it was supposed to be fun.

I've never actually met any writer who wasn't an avid reader. I just thought all writers liked to read, so this is a really interesting question. My basic reaction, though, is yes, reading a lot can only help writers.

Hello, Ally. I'm reminded here of what my English Literature said to me at university, when I asked if I should study Language with Literature rather than my preferred option of History. He asked why I considered Language, and I said that I hoped to earn from my writing at some stage. He replied that I should concentrate on reading good authors, so that I could see the mechanics of good writing in practice. 'After all,' he said, 'You don't need to be a mechanic to drive a car, do you? You learn by example from a good teacher.' I thought this was great advice - but it has to be quality reading, not the airport slush pile.

Oh yes! The experts will tell you definitely - read, read, read. By experts I mean authors, publishers, editors, agents. It is recommended that you read mostly the genre in which you write. I like to read mysteries but I know I couldn't write one. So I try to read more general/women's fiction. Reading a lot is beneficial also to your spelling and grammar. I have read some very amateurish writing and am flinch when I hit bad spelling and grammar. I am appalled when I see bad spelling or grammar in professional writers. I really like to pick apart a newspaper. Reading others' work is just one way to come up with your own story ideas. My love for reading led me to my love for writing. I just don't know how you can do one without the other.

It can be important for a writer to read widely, but much depends on the quality of the writer and the material they are writing/aim to write. Much of the reading that is often conducted is to study style, get ideas for writing, researching etc. I agree with some previous comments that an avid reader does not make a good writer.

here on mylot every has to read so as to increase their points!.. most of the reading are casual readings.. mylotters just read themes,,headlines and start their opinions.. and we see some times that the discussion topik is different then the comments..

I think not. But I think that a good reader is a good writer. A writer just needs much knowledge about the language and the thing about he will write. But a writer don't need to be an avid reader.