Sometimes I go through bouts when I just don't want to read anything, much in the same way I would have 'writer's block'. I have often wondered whether you could be a writer if you do not read, or enjoy reading. What are you views on this? Also, do any of you have periods when you do not read or want to read?
Thank you all so much for responses; they've been really useful and I'm taken quite a lot of your advice on board. I've actually been dabbling in Audible and now have a membership.
It's one of those funny things that you feel you can't do until you're doing it. At least now I have tools to get past myself, and the assurance that it's ok if I choose not to use them!
Hi. I certainly have periods where I don't want to read at all. My reading tends to occur in fits and starts. I don't think I've read any fiction for about 2 weeks now. I will probably pick up another story before the end of the month though.
I suspect that my writing would be exceptionally dull if I never read at all. It's useful to keep up with the latest trends in the area I write as well as to work out the conventions and norms of the genre I'm writing in.
On the other hand, even though I currently claim not to be reading, that is not strictly true. I am still catching up with the newspapers every day, mooching through various scientific journals (sometimes I get inspiration from them and always learn something) and indulging my Wikipedia browsing habit. I just don't tend to think of it as reading, per se.
I hope that you find something useful in this answer.
Hi, Samera. Naturally, there are times when I'm not ready, willing and able to read or write; for example, after reading my favourite book, Quran: A Reformist Translation, every day for a long time, since my first book's inception (February 2011), I stored my favourite book away and didn't continue reading it until I'd finished researching, writing and editing my manuscript as well as submitting book proposals to Agents (March 2013). Now, on the days that I'm not busy working long hours in my day job, I love nothing more than reconnecting with my favourite book in the evening, if only for twenty minutes or so. Regarding writing, I'm currently taking a break from it until either starting work on my second book or re-editing my first book after saving, paying for and receiving professional feedback, whichever comes first. Lastly, as I suggested regarding another Member's question, I suggest you trust your own head, heart and instinct as well as any and all Members' comments that 'speak' to you. Keep well, Dawud.