Writer or reader?

Question

Should a poet or novelist read a lot, to help his/her own skills and style - or should he/she avoid books and poems so as to preserve his/her own style?

Answer 1

If you consider yourself to be a writer you don't have to ask this question of yourself. You just need to write. Reading other peoples work does not increase the breadth of your vocabulary nor should it kickstart your imagination. Whatever your style is, stay with it. By all means read for recreational purposes and to keep in touch with whats out there, but when YOU want to write, go to that place you know and put those words down on paper. I have read everything from Dickens to Brett Easton Ellis but to my dismay I can't write like either of them. I have always wanted to be able to write like Martin Amis but I am thankful I can just write what I can. Its a gift. Use your gift and don't dilute it.

Answer 2

I am a writer. Poetry and stories.
I haven't really read much poetry although i gain inspiration from lyrics.
The definition to me of lyrics is basically poetry that can fit into a song.
When you listen to some lyrics properly you can pick on words feelings and with the support of the song as a whole you can pick up what it's about or your own interpretation of things.

The more you listen to the more words you pick up, you kind of mould yourself to create your own style and it doesn't really take as much effort to do this or a concentration issue.

The only problem with this of course you will probably be a poor speller, but that doesn't matter as you can sort that out later.

Like them or hate them some song writers who produce their own lyrics which are quite profound off their heads or partying 24 hours a day probably wouldn't sit down to gain inspiration from reading a poetry book.
Yet strip away the music and produce it on paper as a stand alone maybe without a typical song format ie chorus you would get a cross hybrid or a lyrical poem. After time you can then write lyrics or develop it into poems or cross hybrid as said above.
Songs are a way of developing with your ears rather than your eyes.
I would even prefer somebody to read their poem to me even if they weren't good readers, (baring of course people who speak quietly or can't talk properly) and get greater inspiration then if i read it on the page.

i know alot of people would slate me for this and say there is a certain way to become something but really it's entirely up to you and your own methods and commitment. I don't stick to rules because they hold back creativity and gain inspiration from others through any medium possible even if it's different to the product you want to get.
By doing that i have structure issues and chaos rather than order

so answer to your question is decide yourself
if something is amazing would you change your mind about the final piece if they told you they had never read a book in their life.
udge on final piece not how they achieved it or who they have read or inspired from and if you have an amazing idea and struggle to articulate seek advice to improve this.

peace
JOHN

Answer 3

I would say a bit of both. Reading others peoples work could give you ideas on styles you like or dislike. However it should not influence the content of your work, which should be individual. If you are a true novelist or poet your own style will come through.

Answer 4

A writer should read as much as possible I have averaged a book a day for over 35 years. As your poetry or prose style develops, you find that the jokes in books are funnier, the clever passages seem wiser and the enjoyment you get from reading increases. I still like reading books I read as a child 'Biggles' and Enid Blyton, and books like 'Gullivers Travels' which I thought was good when I first read it, now seems even better. I am also a writer, of both prose and poetry.

Regards,

Tin

Answer 5

um, it's hard to say. for me (as a choreographer/ dancer) I like to look at other peope's dance to get inspired to do my own thing. I would imagine it would be the same for a writer. just depends on how influential the person is. can this person read/ write something without totally taking what someone else wrote and trying to pass it off as their own? if so, and they use someone else's work as pure inspiration, then I don't see anything wrong with a poet/ novelist reading a lot.

:D

Answer 6

You should definitely read a lot to develop your skills. "They say: the first million words you write is garbage anyway." And though that may be a bit overstated. I don't believe anyone truly develops their style until they've written a ton of material. Along the way, reading good poems and novels only help you. Yes, you may find that you use certain techniques of other authors but you will eventually adapt them to your own style. It's just my opinion, but I would concern myself about craft initially and read great works, and then concern myself about personal style.

Answer 7

Yes! You should constantly read. It helps you know what works and what doesn't and often, I've found, that it helps your creativity to just see good writing.

Don't get so caught up in a book though. If you are actively writing on a piece only read a little bit of a person's work. Their style WILL bleed into your work if you aren't careful, but by all means read, read, read.

I often pick someone who is writing in a different genre when I am writing. Often what works in strict literary form is going to be much harder to incorporate in my SF story about people terraforming planets. It also lets me meet authors I may not have previously read.

Answer 8

I think reading is an important way of broadening anyone's experiences, including a writer's. Although it can be difficult to then move away from the reading you've done and be original, it creates more informed work. For example, Ian McEwan's work, like Atonement, could never have been written if he hadn't read extensively.
Also, an interest in writing is likely to have come from enjoying reading - in itself a perfectly decent reason to continue to do so.

Answer 9

by reading some things that are more ubscure
one might overindulge (tropic of capricorn) in the likes and lose there own voice (nick cave)
brilliant monds can be over powering to those who want knowledge
if one sees what is good about the books/poems
and the structure however loose,
compares to more contemorary things out there
then it may be benificial
the most brilliant composer probably hewars something no one else does
ripping off books. os ripping off life,
the ideas come from the stimulis and those are everywhere
we are all hacks, its how we inovate and mish mash these potatoes of life that makes it interesting
are own styles are those of all weve heard and respected

Answer 10

I'm happy to say that I am both (I write for a living and read for fun).

It's a good question you've asked, but any writer who is going to be overly influenced by somebody elses style, isn't really much of a writer to begin with.

You naturally have your own voice - and, if you're any good, that's what emerges regardless of the words you use.

I think, anyway!