Stephen King's quote is pretty direct. It's the kind that makes you sit up and pay attention. It also sounds like something your high school or college English teacher might tell you.
A few questions and answers:
What's the big deal about reading if you want to be a writer? Are you supposed to read another writer's work, then try to be them? Absolutely not. Every writer should strive to be one of a kind. You don't want to sound like Danielle Steele or John Grisham or Charles Dickens. Your aim is to have your own voice, your own style of writing. Strive to be an individual in the writing world.
So, why push all that reading? Writers learn a great deal from reading the work of others. We find things we like and ones we don't. We see the mechanics of writing and absorb them as we read. We find the writers whose work appeals most to us, and then we should make an assessment as to why. Maybe it's the way the author brings emotion to the story or builds tension creating a page-turner. As you read, your subconscious notes many of these little things as well as your conscious mind.
Should I read the same genre that I write? Yes, you should, but also read other kinds of books. If you write romance, try a sci-fi occasionally, or a murder mystery. If you write fantasy, give historical fiction a try now and then. Widen your horizons when it comes to the type of book or story you read.
What about nonfiction? Yes, read that, too. Read memoir and personal essays, articles on whatever subject interests you. Read educational books and magazines to learn, but also to expose yourself to this type of writing.
I'm not crazy about poetry, so do I have to read that, too? Why not? You can learn about writing by reading poems as well as prose. As you read, note things like alliteration and metaphor. Do you see a story in the poem, or is it one filled with images? You can embrace the beauty of the words in some poetry and then use the techniques in your own writing.
Should I read books about writing? A great big YES! Don't merely read them. Absorb them! Build your own personal library of books that teach you about your craft.
Should I pay attention to what Stephen King tells me? He's a very successful writer, so I would heed his words. Not to write exactly like he does but to learn from someone who knows what he is talking about. I've suggested more than once that writers would benefit from reading King's book titled On Writing. I think it is one of the best on the subject.
Is there any other reason I should read? Yes, you should also read for sheer pleasure. Some of us are born readers, taking to it like candy when we are children. Others must learn to be readers. Some read only what is totally necessary to get through life. Because I love to read, I feel they miss a great deal. Read to relax and get away from the everyday chores and routines and jobs we all have.
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