Number two.

A Lesson by gloomysundays

The second tip I have to offer you all.

02. Don't read and write.

Now, I know that this may contradict what a lot of people have told you but please hear me out. I'm not asking you to stop reading forever. I'm asking you not to read while you write. If you're in the process of writing a book or a story but you're also reading another book in the meantime, that book will do everything but help you.

The main reason that I say this is because whatever book you're reading will have an impact on whatever it is that you're writing. Let's say that for example, you're reading J.R.R Tolkien while writing a short story. Tolkien's writing style will impact your own dramatically so you won't be writing as yourself. You'll be writing as him. You'll be copying this man's style subconsciously. The point of writing is to be original and unfortunately, if you read someone else's work while you write it takes from your originality.

Another reason for this tip is that the book will likely take your focus from your writing. This is bad because writing will become more of an effort for you when you have an entire other story-line in your head. So follow this tip and let me know how it works for you.

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to send me a message.

F.A.Q so far.

Response to: Good general advice, but don't state it as an absolute. Not every writer picks up another writer's voice that easily, any more than artists can't look at art without unconsciously copying the style of Van Gogh or Mondrian...

Reading something else lets the writer rest their brain, step back and take a break from whatever they're working on, before jumping back in again. Sometimes that's needed.

Comments

T. W. Spence

Posted 11 Years Ago

Good general advice, but don't state it as an absolute. Not every writer picks up another writer's voice that easily, any more than artists can't look at art without unconsciously copying the style of Van Gogh or Mondrian...

Reading something else lets the writer rest their brain, step back and take a break from whatever they're working on, before jumping back in again. Sometimes that's needed.