Craig Zadow
asked
David Wong:
What are some of your favorite horror authors and do you agree with Stephen King's assessment that to be a good writer one must read a lot?
David Wong
Let me turn that second question around: If you're an aspiring writer who is discouraged by that advice ("UGH! I HATE reading!) then why do you want to write? If you're not in love with stories and don't get a thrill out of seeing what other authors do with them, then what appeals to you about writing?
I'm sure there are examples of young writers who didn't have much reading under their belt before they cranked out something great (I don't know of specific examples) but to me it'd be like trying to design a sports car if you hate driving. How do you know what to build? If you don't constantly yearn to hit the open road and take corners too fast and feel the power under your hands, then how will you build a car that makes other people feel that way?
Again: I'm not saying no such person has ever existed. I'm saying I personally can't imagine the mindset of a writer who doesn't read. Same as I can't understand the mindset of people who say they want to write but don't have any ideas for what to write. Then why do you want to write? If it's not a desperation to pour your ideas out into the world, then what's driving you to do it? Don't tell me it's the money - there are lots of better ways to make an income from home.
I'm sure there are examples of young writers who didn't have much reading under their belt before they cranked out something great (I don't know of specific examples) but to me it'd be like trying to design a sports car if you hate driving. How do you know what to build? If you don't constantly yearn to hit the open road and take corners too fast and feel the power under your hands, then how will you build a car that makes other people feel that way?
Again: I'm not saying no such person has ever existed. I'm saying I personally can't imagine the mindset of a writer who doesn't read. Same as I can't understand the mindset of people who say they want to write but don't have any ideas for what to write. Then why do you want to write? If it's not a desperation to pour your ideas out into the world, then what's driving you to do it? Don't tell me it's the money - there are lots of better ways to make an income from home.
More Answered Questions
Charles
asked
David Wong:
David/Jason, Love all your episodes on the Cracked podcast; I recommend "Millenial-Panic!" to everyone. You've talked about how you work crazy-long hours but it sounds like a lot of that time is devoted to working behind-the-scenes at Cracked. If you could wave a magic wand and live in an idealized world where you could reliably depend on an income from only writing more books/more frequent Cracked posts, would you?
Dan
asked
David Wong:
Having read JDatE, I have to ask: does the dialog come naturally, or do you have to think about "how would this guy talk to that guy?" I find when I write, I can produce some "natural" dialog, but I always seem to question my decisions, then rework or rephrase, and I rarely get a natural, "organic" flow. A lot of my conversations feel contrived. Just looking for some pointers from a success. Please and thank you.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more