Very early on in my writing career, I was convinced that reading a book while trying to write one would interfere with my ability to tell a story in my own authentic voice and style.
This was a silly thing to believe, but hey — at least it kept me writing.
To deprive oneself of consuming other people’s works of art is a tragedy in itself. But to do it solely because you don’t want other people’s words to “influence” your own is one of the biggest mistakes you could ever make as a storyteller.
After all, all stories were influenced by something. Maybe it’s something that happened to you or someone you know. But it would still probably contain traces of stories you have consumed before — movies you’ve watched, music you’ve listened to (songs are stories too). Even books you’ve read.
Some of my best stories have been inspired by stories I already love. You’re not copying someone else’s work by pulling threads of ideas from previous stories and weaving them into something new and original. You cannot copyright an idea. Tropes exist for a reason. Each new story contains echoes of those that came before it, but no two writers have the exact same style and voice. Not if they’re experienced enough in their craft.
It’s also difficult to imagine that anyone who wants to write a book is not a well-read lover of stories. The more you read, and the more diverse your TBR, the better your writing is going to be. Reading the genre you want to write in makes sense, but there is so much we can learn from venturing outside those lazy boundaries we set for ourselves.
The more you read, the more you know. And isn’t that the most common piece of basic writing advice out there — to write what you know? To read is to know more. Knowing more leads to more interesting and inclusive storytelling.
You don’t have to read everything. You don’t even have to read daily. But you should read as much as you can. It’s not going to pollute your work, it’s not going to make you less original. It could, in fact, be the best thing you will ever do for yourself as a writer.
Meg Dowell is the creator of Brain Rush, dedicated to helping writers put their ideas into words, and Not a Book Hoarder, celebrating books of all kinds. She is an editor, writer, book reviewer, podcaster, and photographer passionate about stories and how they get made. Learn more
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