Writers Who Don’t Read

For over ten years I’ve written posts about the craft of fiction, every other Wednesday, here on this site. I have to believe I have written about the importance of reading at least once before over such a span. But I feel the need to write about this again. For once again I have met a writer who doesn’t read.

It’s easy to say great writers are great readers. It’s a tidy quip and I’ve heard it often. But here’s the thing—it’s true! It’s not only true, but foundational. In fact, I don’t believe you can be a good writer unless you are an avid reader. Period.

How many great musicians don’t listen to music? How many sculptors don’t go to art museums? Yet, at least once a year I meet a writer who says they aren’t reading. In this most recent case the writer was concerned about executing key aspects of the craft—specifically, ensuring they didn’t overwrite, provide too much description or narrative in their stories. I spoke with them about the power of concrete and concise prose, the contract with the reader, and the beholder’s share. It was then I paused and asked about her reading habits. She said she’s not reading and knows she needs to. I thanked her for self-diagnosing, gave her the names of two novels that I thought would inform her work, and we wrapped up.

As a writer you must be pushing great sentences into your head as often and in as great a quantity as possible. Simply by knocking about in this crazy world, you are reading/hearing a great deal of terrible writing. This is unavoidable. Your writing depends on you growing in the craft. And reading is the primary way to do so.