Last year, I heard a published author say that she never reads books. All she does is write. I immediately marked her off as an ugly dog booksauthor that I will read. How can writers not read other authors? It’s arrogant to think at any point we don’t need to learn from other works. Her statement was so unbelievable that I couldn’t forget it. I’ve tried to look at it from other perspectives trying to understand the rationale. I even tried it. I went two months without reading other authors to see if that spurred me on to novel completion. It didn’t.

Reading other authors helps me understand what I like and don’t like about certain styles of writing. It also gives me ideas about transitions, escalating plots, resolution and the ever-present quandary of showing not telling.

You’ve heard the quote, “never trust a skinny chef.” I’m wondering if we should trust a non-reading writer?

Your thoughts.

Karen