Is it possible to be a great writer who reads very little fiction?

Question

I've read a few great books but I never go out of my way to read "the classics". However, I'm always reading non-fiction. but I write stories and poems and hopefully a novel someday. I usually write abstract fiction. Am I doomed to fail without reading "the classics"?

I hear what you mean, but I am truly more focused on doing MY OWN thing. I suppose I'm lucky because I have always been highly literate in the technical sense. Then I happend to have a creative insanity completly seperate. I want to have a unique feel that is unlike all the other stuff, if you know what I mean.

Answer 1

I really would doubt it. Stephen King says "to be a great writer you must first be a great reader". You need to study the work of the masters - just like an artist would study the work of Rembrandt, Leonardo, Degas etc. Do you know a singing student who didnt listen to the great Pavaroti to learn? You are cheating yourself by not exposing yourself to great literature. Give it a shot. Pax- C

Answer 2

I think so. You can write great historical fiction I think.