Opinion Piece

A question that I pose to my fellow writers.

     I pose these questions to all of you here on the Writers Cafe:

1. Do you think reading others work makes you a better writer?

2. Or do you just soak up what they say and it will somehow find its way into your own work?

3. Does your won writing style make you read the same style? Or is it the other way around-does your reading style make you write in the same style?

      I was reading Kay Hooper last night and the question popped in my head. Then I was sitting here getting ready to write my latest short story, the question popped in again.

     I thought I would ask the questions of you all.

     Please use the comments as a forum of sorts and share with your friends.

Reviews

[Marie Harrison]

I think reading other people's writing has to influence your own writing. In fact I think the more varied the styles you read, the more dynamic one's writings will be. Just my thoughts.

[Another Relic]

Reading other peoples witing doesn't make me a better writer because I only read to enjoy other peoples views and perspectives. I also don't always know how good they are as poets. I only know that I like some and others are too confusing. As far as style, It doesn't matter what the style is as long as I like it. I suppose some of what I read rubs off on me, but I don't notice at the time I'm writing.

[Arctic Fox]

Hmm never thought about it. I normally just use what is around me, and my emotions. I write mostly fantasy, but in each one is a myriad different situations, genres, and ideas.

[Tea And A Cheshire Smil..]

I, personally, think that reading others' work makes me a better writer. It both inspires me to write and, particularly in poetry, makes me view things from a different angle. I think that another benefit is that when you read someones' work, you can review and help them improve it, and vice versa. I don't think I soak up what other writers say and put it in my own work as far as I know... As for question three, I enjoy reading different writing styles to my own. I tend to explore them all seeing as I mainly read pieces from the "New Writers" "Unreviewed" and "Unread" sections.
As Adina said, good questions

[bbb]

I think reading others' work basically makes me feel inspired to write more. It may possibly make me a better writer, giving me perspective on different subjects and styles. I do like to read people with similar styles, but I don't think my reading style makes me write in the same style. I thought I would read and answer these first, then maybe we can post them as a forum for discussion. Good questions---things I don't usually even think of!