I just write a whole load of stuff out and hope to God that it comes out OK. I'd never dare to read it back again. Too depressing! And I certainly can't read anyone else's work. That just feels like committing adultery. And the more of other people's work I read, the more I feel like I've just committed adultery. Well I suppose "adultery" is too strong a word, but I certainly do feel like I'm letting the side down when I try to read a book written by anyone else but me.
Generally I think reading is over-rated, especially work that has been written by someone other than you, but I also thin reading your own work is over-rated too.
In conclusion, writing is much more important than reading, unless you're an editor, or a book agent of course, but then you're paid to, so you probably don't have much choice.
I find the question difficult because I've always been taught that copying is bad and that you should use your own talents in whatever art you favour. However, I also know that at one time, painters were apprenticed and painted in the style of the master in order to learn the trade.
Some friends and I tried to write a few news paragraphs in the styles of various well known writers. It was fun as an exercise, but very very hard.
I just write a whole load of stuff out and hope to God that it comes out OK. I'd never dare to read it back again. Too depressing! And I certainly can't read anyone else's work. That just feels like committing adultery. And the more of other people's work I read, the more I feel like I've just committed adultery. Well I suppose "adultery" is too strong a word, but I certainly do feel like I'm letting the side down when I try to read a book written by anyone else but me.
Generally I think reading is over-rated, especially work that has been written by someone other than you, but I also thin reading your own work is over-rated too.
In conclusion, writing is much more important than reading, unless you're an editor, or a book agent of course, but then you're paid to, so you probably don't have much choice.
I hope this helps.
Nobody.
I find the question difficult because I've always been taught that copying is bad and that you should use your own talents in whatever art you favour. However, I also know that at one time, painters were apprenticed and painted in the style of the master in order to learn the trade.
Some friends and I tried to write a few news paragraphs in the styles of various well known writers. It was fun as an exercise, but very very hard.