Are You Able to Read When You Write?

[L.]

Hey guys! I'm up for some good discussing. I guess this is a sort of poll for those who write.

Question: Can you read books while you're writing one of your own?

For me, it's a no go. I can't read other books when I'm writing because it kinda influences my writing. I don't wanna copy the author I'm reading and keep my own style. However, when I need inspiration or have come to a complete mental block I do like reading and getting the creativity going again.

So, how about the rest of you? How does it go for you? :D

[Alexes]

I read while I'm writing. I don't find that other books influence my voice, but reading is often the cure for a mental block. While writing, I tend to be drawn to books outside my genre.

[L.]

That's cool! What genres do you like to read and what genres do you write? :)

[Wilmar]

I should hope I could read and write, I just finished self-editing for the fiction writer and am putting what I read into practice.

So far from the books I've read (horror, cyberpunk, ya, and medieval fantasy) I have not come across a book that has influenced me too heavily. I've wanted to incorporate maybe some writing techniques and grammar, but not the voice of the text in front of me.

I thought that by reading more books it would influence my writings of The Silver Ninja, but if anything, it just helped me get through some writing roadblocks.

[Leonie]

I love reading while I'm writing. It's down time for me, where my brain can just relax and go along for the ride, enjoying someone else's creativity.

[Jacqueline]

I used to not be able to write when I read, but I've gotten good at making my brain separate my work from my reading. I'm still very picky about my reading though. Working on turning off my inner editor, getting better at that. :o)

[Yzabel]

I do both. If I couldn't, I would have to either stop reading or stop writing altogether, and that would be just too painful. But I read very different things, too—I hop from YA to science books, from how-to-write guides to 19th century classics—so I don't think such a mish-mash can really "influence my style". It might be the case if I were to read only the same author, or only the same kind of books, though.

[L.]

Maybe I should try reading even while I'm writing but read in other genres. My book is action/adventure/fantasy, so I should shoot for a crime mystery or something XD Hopefully I can get to the point where I'm able to read while writing. I feel like I need to catch up and read a bunch :)

[David]

Barely and slowly and I have to choose carefully because another author' with a strong voice can mess up mine. When I'm editing, I can't read anyone else's work at all. This is a sacrifice I've made for writing.

I can read nonfiction just fine.

For entertainment, I read comics. That doesn't mess with my voice. Thank goodness for the Marvel iOS app.

[M.W.]

I read all the time. Sometimes I don't want to write because I'm in the middle of an awesome book, so I "reward" myself with reading time when I've met my word count goal for the day. It doesn't influence my writing because I read so much I don't remember half the time what books are about...hell, I have a hard time remember what MINE are about (whether it's under this pen name or ). Seriously, I was interviewed by a local reporter last year and she specifically asked about something in one of my books. I stumbled around in my answer because it took me a while to remember. LOL!

[Toni]

I have to read after i write. Its the only way to shut my brain down or else i'll still be obsessing about what my characters are going to do next and then i'll NEVER sleep. I usually keep short stories on hand for that and I usually stay away from the genre that I am writing, so it doesn't influence me.

[Stan]

I read regardless of whether I'm writing, and I never worry about being influenced, but I try to stay aware of when that is happening.

[H.L.]

Sometimes I have to. If I get writer's block the only thing that gets me out is by digging into my library and getting lost in a mountain of books.

[Steve]

I would have to agree with "L", I find it very difficult for me to read while I write. #UGH!! I can't wait until I can catch up on my reading...so many good reads out there.

[A.L.]

Oh yes, I can focus more easily on lots of things than one. Just one my brain goes off to find something else as well.