Are you a writer who reads or a writer who doesn't read?

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   Thelma Albertsposted 9 years ago

   I'm a writer who reads. I love reading and I can't imagine living without reading. It's a must for me.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thelma, Thanks for the comments from such a world traveler and a person of ecclectic interests as yourself.  Looking forward to your hubs.

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   Meggan Dunnposted 9 years ago

   I have to say I am a writer that reads. In elementary when I was told to write my first story using the spelling words something clicked in my brain. I knew at that moment I wanted to write. I was a shy kid and writing allowed me to express myself, but reading allowed me to lose myself in another world and allowed my writing to grow.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Megan, I LOVE hearing about the moment you knew you wanted to write.  I think I'm going to pose that as a question if it's ok with you.  I'd also like to use your quote on our educational website.  May I?  Our teacher-visitors will love it!

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      Meggan Dunnposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I would be honored. Thank you.

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   Carol Reedposted 9 years ago

   Excellent question! In the past 6 years, give or take a few years, I had been a very active participate in the Marion County Writers Workshop, where a few writers stressed the importance of reading, reading, reading. I may have heard this a few times when I attended some of the Summer University of Iowa Writer's Workshops. However, I don't have the time to read novel after novel. Why should I read a novel that would take me a month, if I'm lucky to finish it in that time frame; when I can watch a movie that takes me two hours to watch? I do suffer from Narcolepsy. I probably had this when I was growing up and didn't know why I couldn't read without falling asleep. I do enjoy reading a book that draws me in, paints the settings for me and makes me wish I didn't have to leave at the end. But I enjoy writing more than reading. I would say, I'm not an avid reader because I wouldn't get anything else done. Thanks to medication, my Narcolepsy doesn't stand in my way when I want to read.  Not everyone learns the same way; some learn better when they are reading, others learn from listening and watching. The answer to your question, has "reading improved my writing," it hasn't hurt it.  What has improved my writing, is all of the rewriting.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Carol Reed, EXACTLY my experience. I actually use reading to put myself to sleep! I download Kindle books on my smart phone and if I can't sleep, I start reading. One page later,  I'm out!  I ALSO feel that if I read, I'd never get anything written!

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   Pro Shellposted 9 years ago

   I'm mostly a reader that occasionally writes.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for weighing in, ProShell

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   marieryanposted 9 years ago

   The problem with the wonderful world of reading is that it takes so much time, which I always feel I don't have too much of! I would love to be an avid reader, just like so many of those who have commented on this question.
   I just don't know how these fellow hubbers find the time to both write extensively and also read so avidly. I have several books 'on the go' at the moment (reading them, I mean, not writing them!) but since I started concentrating on writing more, I realise I am using my reading-time to do my writing.
   You are obviously functioning perfectly well without being an avid reader! Congratulations Billie. I understand completely that you can manage your literary fix through auditory means.
   Any suggestions as to how I can join the realms of the avid readers and prolific writers?

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Marieryan, Thank you so much !  I like your style    I too am puzzled about how prolific writers can be avid readers.  Maybe they don't sleep!  I know they must read MUCH faster than I ever was able to do. Maybe there's a hub on speed reading

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   Ethan Digby-Newposted 9 years ago

   As great people have said before me, "a writer who does not read cannot call themselves a writer."  I have to read, it's an urge that I hold deep within.  If I don't feel the paper between my fingers, or the voices of characters in my mind, then I am not whole.  If I did not read, then I fear my writing would plummet in creativeness and readability.  I was able to scrape by without reading for a long time by getting my ideas from movies and real people.  But the world cannot satisfy the extent to which are thoughts can go, therefore I had to look at fiction as an escape.  So am I reader?  I have to be, otherwise I would fear how terrible my writing would become.  I understand not everyone needs to read, but everyone who wants to be somewhat of a successful writer needs to read at least something.  Anyone on this forum reads.  You don't have to read novels to be a reader.  If you read forums then you are a reader.  I never force myself to read, which is why I will eternally find happiness in words.  Don't read things you dislike, but instead find things that you enjoy and that pique your interest.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Ethan Digby-New, Thank you for sharing and describing your great love for reading and how it affects your writing. Creativity breeds creativity it seems.

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   Nidal Chaudhryposted 9 years ago

   Im a person who loves writing but unfortunately, i see any point in reading. My parents don't like that i dont read.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Nidal Chaudhry, I understand. You ARE reading if you're writing (tee hee)  Perhaps your parents love creative writing and wish to share that love of reading with you. I don't read for pleasure much and I've written a children's book,short stories...

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   seraphicposted 9 years ago

   I am a reader! My tastes for reading have evolved over time... Currently my passion is reading articles on sciences and experiments, looking deep into the future as to what will be here when I am long gone.
   
   Reading feeds the imagination and enhances creativity.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Very cool, Seraphic.   You might like my short story "Alone".  I wrote it way back in the 90s when it seemed "science-ficition-y"  When I read it now, it seems not quite so imaginary   Thanks for your comment.

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   greeneyedblondieposted 9 years ago

   I hate reading, so I don't do it that often. It takes me forever to find something "good" to read.

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      Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      Greeneyedblondie, I read your hub titles-TOTALLY, interesting to me.  72 HUBS in 11 months while doing classwork?  No wonder you don't read often, you're producing, producing! Can't wait to read your tips on character development and ALL your topics!

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    Team Wisemanposted 9 years ago

    We are writers who reads, thumbs up, Shares on all social sites and enjoys it. We have learned by being active withinin Hubpages can also be very rewarding!

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       Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks Teamwiseman for your comments.  You're right, being active here is very rewarding.  Cheers, Billie
       .

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    rezasrposted 9 years ago

    I am a writer who reads.without reading how would i know the different aspects of any topic?so i have to research and gather information first by reading then i can think about writing.

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       Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Rezasr, True.  I'm beginning to think I didn't refine this question enough.  I think I meant are you a writer of fiction who is an avid reader of fiction?  Perhaps this question is about that!  I didn't think so when I wrote it, but now I do. Thanks!

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    youmegetposted 9 years ago

    My editor told me to start reading but instead I watched movies. Guess what, I grabbed what she was trying to teach me because they were there in the movies and I could feel it in my bones.  If this is what works for you, why not?

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       Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Youmeget, That's the way I feel (most of the time). I do remember, though, reading "To Kill a Mockingbird" and watching the movie.  It was quite different.  I loved the times in school when both were required and we had to write about the difference!

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    Kristen Howeposted 9 years ago

    I'm a writer. Writers do read and write in the same genre. That's how we get better and hone our craft.  I write and read.  It have helped me get better and improve my earlier and later works in the future.

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       Billie Kelpinposted 9 years agoin reply to this

       Kristen, Thanks for your comment.  Writing and reading in the same genre seems to be the key, apparently.  Cheers, Billie

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