Are you a reader or writer?

[Barry]

No. Never lived in Gainesville. Grew up in Anderson Indiana, now live in Illinois

[Jonathan]

I am both. I read just about anything except romance and I write historical, fantasy, thriller/action and a bit of sci fi.

I'm dead impressed with all of the people who started writing so young! I wrote my first fantasy at about age 10 by ripping off the ideas that an author I just read has also ripped off and haven't written seriously until the last 6 months or so.

[Jedidiah]

I am a fantasy reader first and writer second. I've been reading fantasy books since Highschool but I just started writing five years ago. I am also a fantasy artist.

[Anne]

Both. I've been reading avidly ever since I can remember, and writing fantasy and science fiction for most of that time. Almost exactly a year ago I achieved my lifetime ambition and signed a three-book deal with a high-profile UK publisher - can't wait to see my own novel on the bookshop shelves alongside my childhood heroes :)

[Razmatus]

congratulations then :)

[K.A.]

Jedidiah wrote: "I am a fantasy reader first and writer second. I've been reading fantasy books since Highschool but I just started writing five years ago. I am also a fantasy artist."

The publisher Malachite Quills often has cover art requests and contests for fantasy art - check out their website for info.

[Jedidiah]

K.A. wrote: "Jedidiah wrote: "I am a fantasy reader first and writer second. I've been reading fantasy books since Highschool but I just started writing five years ago. I am also a fantasy artist."

The publi..."

Will do, thanks!

[Matt]

Both for sure. You have to enjoy reading to be a writer. Otherwise, why bother? I read mostly epic and urban fantasy (and non-fiction), but occasionally branch out into thrillers, sci-fi, or other things that catch my fancy.

[Anne]

Razmatus wrote: "congratulations then :)"

Thanks! Tomorrow is publication day - so excited! *lol*

[Razmatus]

Anne wrote: "Razmatus wrote: "congratulations then :)"

Thanks! Tomorrow is publication day - so excited! *lol*"

Dont blame you, hehe :)

I bet it must have been a long and tough road to this point... and I cant wait to one day hold a book of my own in my hands as well, haha :)

[Eric]

I can see easily enough how someone could be a reader and not a writer, but to be a writer and not a reader? I can't imagine ever having developed an interest in writing without first having been captivated by reading. Perhaps a better question would be---which do you do more of? I am a lifetime reader who has been a writer the last several years. Time spent on either now varies from day to day---if I'm on a roll, the writing wins hands down, while if I'm suffering from blockage I may take refuge in indulgent reading. I win either way!

[Rachel]

I am both a writer and a reader. I thrive off the ability to escape to other world via books, and nothing would please me more than to know I have provided the same opportunity for another.

[Will]

I'm both reader and writer. But, not at the same time. I have to stop reading when I've got a new book on the go.

Anyone else find that?

[K.A.]

Certainly works that way for me. I read a lot more when I'm not working on anything in particular, including technical manuscripts at work. When I'm writing/editing, the reading drops off. Partly it's time. Partly it's that I don't want to affecct my own imagination. So I go through cycles when I suck up books like a vacuum cleaner and then barely read at all...

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

I can say that I both read and write. I don't care to try to publish because I have so many stories circulating around in my head. I only write when I absolutely have to in order to clear out my brain. ;-)

I mostly share my stories with friends and family (mainly hubby :) if I share at all.

My first love has always been reading with writing being an unwelcome intrusion for the most part. My husband wants me to write and try to publish because he thinks it would a) make me more focused and b) cut down on the amount of books I sneak into the house... (like that could ever happen, lol!)

[Cheryl]

MrsJoseph wrote: "I can say that I both read and write. I don't care to try to publish because I have so many stories circulating around in my head. I only write when I absolutely have to in order to clear out my ..."

Believe me, MrsJ, being a writer in no way decreases the number of books I sneak into the house! Reading seems to feed the frenzy of ideas and stories running amok in my brain.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Cheryl wrote: "Believe me, MrsJ, being a writer in no way decreases the number of books I sneak into the house! Reading seems to feed the frenzy of ideas and stories running amok in my brain.

That's what I told him! I told him that as anal as I am...if I were to really try to write something I would need to do research which equates to more books *insert evil laughter here* The bookcases will continue to multiply!

[David]

I'm a reader of many genres, but I prefer fantasy if I have to choose. As a writer, I write all over various genres, but again, I prefer fantasy. I'm venturing now into some LGBT short fiction. As an English teacher, I advocate my students both read and write (even if they're not the best writers).

[Tracy]

I'm a reader of fantasy/science/historical fiction. I'm a writer of poetry with a penchant for erotica. While most of the poetry I write is based on my life experience, much of the erotica I write is based on invented experience. I have to admit that I don't write as much as I once did, but when the muse inspires ... well, my imaginative/creative energies are ignited and I'll focus on one piece alone until it reads just how I want it. Cadence is most important to me and oftentimes rhyme. I've also written lyrics for song in which each together are critical. However, varied descriptive language is vital to whatever I write. I've spent countless hours pouring over dictionaries/thesauruses/synonym finders just to find 'the right word'. For this reason, I appreciate those writers I choose to read who make descriptive language a priority in their work ... and interesting. My favorite authors each have unique command of this, but also the most incredible imaginations I've ever encountered!

[Isabella]

I am both... Have been since I was about 13 or so... the book that got me to write fantastical poetry (which shall remain unpublished lol!) was the lovely LOTR... I simply adored that book/series... couldn't get enough of it... The Hobbit came in a distant second... Though now I think I appreciate the subtleties of the Hobbit a bit better, I think....

[Razmatus]

Isabella wrote: "I am both... Have been since I was about 13 or so... the book that got me to write fantastical poetry (which shall remain unpublished lol!) was the lovely LOTR... I simply adored that book/series....."

how about Silmarillion :P?

[Isabella]

Razmatus wrote: "how about Silmarillion :P"

Lol no, it was too much for me, I'm afraid:) Though you have reminded me to revisit it;)

[[deleted user]]

I am a writer primarily, since I was sixteen I have written books, short stories, and poetry only to pass time, usually all fantasy and fiction. as a reader, I prefer long books based on fantasy.

[Joseph]

Both. I think you have to be both if you want to write anything that is reasonably good.

[Harrison]

Hi there,

I both write fantasy and read what I can. I don't have an awful lot if time to immerse myself in other worlds other than those I create.

Harrison.

[LaVerne]

I'm a writer and a reader. I devour books whenever I need to take a time out from writing. I have a closet I made into a library and I LOVE MY KINDLE. I don't have to find more closet space for my books. lol

[Amanda]

A little of both and would love to get a kindle for all the books I want

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

Amanda wrote: "A little of both and would love to get a kindle for all the books I want"

Ereaders are the best...ever. ;-D

[LaVerne]

Amanda wrote: "A little of both and would love to get a kindle for all the books I want"

I got my first Kindle out of necessity because I was published with ehouses so at first my books were published electronically and I needed to see what the readers saw but then I began buying ebooks for myself. Now while I still won't completely give up print books, if you can get an eReader of any kind I'd highly recommend them.

[Jute]

I think I'm in the minority here...I'm a reader. I have been a reader since I was little. I won an award in my first year at school for reading 100 books. I was 5 years old. And I really read them..not my mom reading to me.

So... yeah..a lifelong love affair with books.

[Rich]

I am both but I probably write more than I read. In fact I find it hard to make time to read than to write. But then I am write regularly as part of my day job as well as part of my unofficial career as a novelist.

[Lára]

Just a reader.

[Kristal]

Both. :)

[Mark]

Both as well.

[Judy]

Both--read my first sci-fi novel at age nine--Madeleine L'Engle's "Wrinkle in Time." Then "The Hobbit." I still read mostly fantasy with some sci-fi, horror, and thrillers mixed in.

Now it's a contest to see how many books I can read on my Kindle, lol.

As a writer, I write primarily fantasy with some soft sci-fi and paranormal. I wish I could write about quantum theory but I'm afraid my understanding of the science isn't deep enough.

[Thomas]

Both, but I have a four decade headstart on reading over writing :-)

I read fantasy and science fiction for enjoyment, to be taken away from the real world and have my imagination ignited.

So far I write fantasy with only a few dabbles into science fiction. I have wanted to write for a LONG time, but only recently did I find the time and the drive.

[Nichelle]

Both. :) I've easily 1000 books in my life, preferring series and trilogies etc. I've been an avid reader since I was 13 so I don't remember all the book I've read in my life, hence why my Goodreads book shelves are so tiny. LOL I can't recall all the books I've read.

I just published my debut novel in October. I have my second book in the series coming out in 2 weeks. :) VERY excited about it!

[Scott]

Both, though I've been a reader for much longer.

[K.A.]

Judy wrote: "Both--read my first sci-fi novel at age nine--Madeleine L'Engle's "Wrinkle in Time." Then "The Hobbit." I still read mostly fantasy with some sci-fi, horror, and thrillers mixed in.

Now it's a con..."

For some reason I always forget "Wrinkle in Time" when I'm thinking of my first fantasy books - it was definitely one of my first as well. I read it again fairly recently, as an adult. It's interesting the different view you can have on a book depending on where you are in life - I also read "The Wind in the Willows" again as an adult and what a weird book that is!

[Adria]

I'm both. I am an avid reader. I also write poetry and short stories.

[Michael]

I think what Chris says is very true...Writers probably look at books differently than "pure readers" do. I both write and read but it's impossible to take off my "author's hat" when I'm reading.

[A.L.]

Both:)

[Bookwraiths]

Both. Though most of my writing is legal writing, so I don't think that is really the same as fictional writing.

[A.L.]

I have to say I notice typos more now:)

[Metaphorosis]

I don't think being a writer has changed anything for me as a reader. It's a different thing, and I use a different brain for it (I keep them in convenient jars).

Being a reviewer, now - or at least writing reviews for Goodreads - that has changed my reading style. I tend to interrupt myself more to note things down, or take time to notice POV shift rather just than thinking "that was confusing".

[Metaphorosis]

Jim wrote: "Roger Zelazny is my favorite author. I think his poetry training really helped his descriptions. He doesn't run on, yet manages to nail things down in a very few words. "

One of my favorites too, and I find Zelazny's prose to be extremely poetic. So I was surprised to find (e.g. here This Mortal Mountain) that his actual poetry is downright bad. I'm glad he stuck mostly to the prose, considering.

[Jakob]

B. wrote: "I don't think being a writer has changed anything for me as a reader. It's a different thing, and I use a different brain for it (I keep them in convenient jars).

Being a reviewer, now - or at lea..."

I would have to say that is a good way of putting it. These days I do tend to be a bit more critical of something that interrupts my flow. "What was it about what the author just did, how can I avoid it in my own writing?"

Indeed while I do try to keep the two disconnected, book discussions, reviewing, etc the two bleed together a little bit.

[MrsJoseph *grouchy*]

B. wrote: "Being a reviewer, now - or at least writing reviews for Goodreads - that has changed my reading style. I tend to interrupt myself more to note things down, or take time to notice POV shift rather just than thinking "that was confusing". "

I do this a lot more, too.

But as I was trained in crit (long time ago), I try to not do this as it kills the reading experience for me. If I have a notebook while reading I start to get nitpicky. Then when I review I end up throwing a lot of that out cause I know most people don't care about those things - but if it had been for a paper or a crit it would have made a big difference.

[C.B.]

Both.

I try not to read too much in the same genre as I'm currently writing. It makes me too critical of my own stuff.

But when a new book by someone I really love comes out, I can't resist.

[Robin]

I am both—and for me the two are intertwined. Books have always been a part of my life, and I think that early start and permanent dedication gave me a good training for becoming a writer. I can't even imagine doing without either!