The answer seems pretty obvious – Yes.
Well… actually there is a very lively debate among writers about this very subject and not all agree that in order to write, you must read. There is a discussion around how much a writer should read and the effect that reading has on their own writing.
In general, reading and writing go hand in hand. Writers are usually avid readers, who read book after book, seemingly ceaseless in their desire to delve inside the fictional world created from another’s mind. For a writer:
“One feeds your soul while the other hones your craft.”
Kathy Edens: Can You Still Be a Good Writer if You Never Read?
It seems obvious that a writer should read books:
“No one is born knowing how to count. You want to learn how to count, you study your textbooks. In the same way, no one is born knowing how to write good fiction. You want to learn how to write well, read literature. They’re your textbooks.” Ian
Goodreads: Writers Who Do Not Read – Discussion Thread
“When I think about a writer who does not like to read, I can’t help but also see a lawyer who does not like research, a scientist who does not like to analyse, or a songwriter who does not like to listen to music.” Liana
Goodreads: Writers Who Do Not Read – Discussion Thread
However, some writers would argue that reading and ‘studying’ a book only teaches the ‘facts’ of being a writer: The variation of language, and sentence construction, for instance. It cannot help a writer to identify the subconscious “writer’s breath.”
“I would much rather read an interesting story “badly written” than a dull story well written. Language, as in all art, is a chameleon: enjoy its colours they may inspire you to write something more interesting than comparing reading to a writer’s breath. That (subconscious) “breath” could come from the spoken word of others, from the radio, tv, cinema, simply observing, or taking ownership of one’s life through a unique perspective; and/or simply the Unexplained.” Ryck810
Good Reads: Writers Who Do Not Read – Discussion Thread
And that’s the cusp of the argument for writers who do not read. Reading can teach a writer the craft, but it cannot teach someone about that subconscious creative spark, that inspiration to write. It is the realisation that reading books, whilst writing, can hinder their own writing and creative process. Still, a writer admitting to not reading, is like admitting to some secret shame; you will rarely find names, just allures to conversation. The backlash that would be unleashed if they ever admitted to doing so, is surprising, however with famous writers such as Stephen King, stating that “If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have time to write.” It is understandable.
Anyway, it would be hard to find a writer who has not read anything in their life. In the developed world, nearly everyone has been to school; everyone has had to read books whether children’s classics, or classic literature. How many books does a writer really need to read in order to write well? Is there a magic number or an actual book that must be read? No.
There is a sub context to the statement made by writers that they do not read and it is varied:
Many writers do not read… when they are writing or when they have become a writer, because it is far too easy for some writers to take on the voice of the author they are reading into their work and it will lose whatever “breath” made it the writers own:
“Some experts say you need not read to succeed as an author. In fact, they claim you’ll achieve a more unique voice if you don’t study and emulate others.”
Kathy Edens: Can You Still Be a Good Writer if You Never Read?
“I used to devour books. Like stacks from the library. Now I don’t. I lost that urge to devour books and instead can’t stop writing. I try to read when I can but I don’t like to read when I’m writing a WIP because I tend to take the author that I’m reading style. It’s fact. It’s like hanging out with a friend who says a certain word or talks a certain way. Pretty soon, you’ll talk like them. Since I’m always writing, with no shortage or ideas or creativity, I find I have hardly any time to read. But I’m trying because I know I’m apparently “not a writer” unless I read. And I have to write well despite all this because my book has gotten awesome reviews. So, worry not, you are not alone” Shelby
Goodreads: Writers Who Do Not Read – Discussion Thread
But other writers will argue:
“If you’ve not read extensively in your genre, how will you know, as a writer, what will set you apart from all the rest? When you read others’ work, you can find the gap that needs filled. Authors who write the gap-fillers seem to succeed beyond their wildest dreams because readers love the new and unique.”
Kathy Edens: Can You Still Be a Good Writer if You Never Read?
Some writers do not read… when they are writing or when they have become a writer, because it will affect creativity, however other writers will read in their genre for exactly that reason to become inspired:
“Many of the books we read influence us in subtle ways that enrich our writing without defining it. Some of them influence us by opening a window in our minds that wasn’t there before.”
Maeve Maddox: What do Writers Read
“I think I need to exemplify by using myself. Yes, I read. I like to read. But not as much as I want to write. The thing is this, and I might get judged for this, but I’ve gotten a lot more inspiration to write good stories by listening to music or watching movies than most reads.
Goodreads: Writers Who Do Not Read – Discussion Thread
Now, this is not a bash on reading. I still love reading extensively. However, perhaps a more important question is at stake here: reading allows you a greater range of vocabulary, but then again, it enforces and mixes the book’s concepts with your concepts for a novel that, after so much reading, you’ve already replaced other concepts with your concepts. Thus, reading helps with words, but destroys creativity.” Stefan
“As for reading destroying creativity, I think that’s absurd, Stefan. Read interviews with good writers, and you will find that most have been and continue to be inspired by other writers and find their own concepts and style through that inspiration as well as through their own unique sensibility.” Kallie
Goodreads: Writers Who Do Not Read – Discussion Thread
I tend not to read as much when I write. I have definitely found that the voice of the author I have read can end up in my own stories. Music provides my mind with all the inspiration I need to write and I will listen to the same music on repeat when I need to motivate myself to write.
I do actually take writing breaks and this is the time when I will indulge and read to my hearts content. I usually take a break from writing on school holidays and it means that reading remains a pleasure to me, rather than a critical analysis of a book, which I have a tendency to do, when I am in my writing zone.
There is a mixture of opinion on the value reading can bring to a writer and if a writer should actually read books. It seems it is down to the individual writers own preference and their experiences of reading and writing.