Should I Read as Much as I Write?
I know that I'm going to get strung up for saying this. I have only found a few authors that agree with me so let me start by telling you what I am NOT saying. I am not saying that you need to stop reading or that reading is bad or that you can't become a better writer by reading. I think reading is a great tool to use to increase one's vocabulary, imagination, and writing style.
Now with that disclaimer out of they way I have found that I get a lot more out of writing than I do out of reading. No, stop, put down your torches and pitchforks. I'm not hating on reading but I am saying that to get better at anything you need practice. Writing is no different, You can read a thousand books but if you never pick up a pen/write on a keyboard what good is it going to do you?
I've found good balance for myself with reading 10% to 20% of my time and writing 90% to 80% of my time. To get good at anything you need to practice, practice, practice. For me it was easy to justify to myself that reading was "work" and making me better. However, myself and others have seen huge advancements in my writing from book to book. Use reading as a tool but not at the expense of writing. Don't neglect the very thing that will make you a better writer.
