The question, paraphrased, on one of the forums I follow was, “Should writers read, or does it contaminate impartiality when writing your own story?”
The thought of not reading books because I write, never occurred to me. Not read? The habit is so ingrained it would be impossible to stop now.
I enjoy the imagination, characters and situations plotted by authors. To be honest, for years, if I liked a book, it was speed read for discovery and re-read to absorb the delicious details. If I liked it well-enough, it was digested to study why it worked so well and to assess how the author made it so.
This has happened with about one-eighth of the books I read, but what a treasure trove of riches they were! I learned a great deal about plot, dialogue and inserting the right information at the opportune moment from these impromptu study sessions.
Did it make me write like them? No (but in some cases, I wish).
Did It improve my knowledge of the writing process? Immensely.
Would I not read in case it tainted my writing? Not a chance!
I am in reading mode right now, and reading some great books by excellent authors (reviews under Books Reviewed). All reading can do beside entertain me, in my humble opinion, is improve my skills as a writer.
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