Do you think to be a writer you first need to be a reader?

[Kanika Tandon]

Do you have to be a reader before you try your hand at writing? Do you think reading bring out an inherent capabilities that one associates with writing?

I believe yes. In order to be a good writer you should read as much as you can to understand the nitty gritties of writing before even opting for professional courses.

What are your thoughts on this? The comment section is all yours .

[Christabel Egbeama]

Yes, Yes. Reading exposes you to different writing techniques, and it helps you with your vocabulary development. Therefore, enabling you to write amazing stories.

[Charlienmegan Wehner]

I do think reading a lot will help with writing. There is also great value in reading your favorite authors and specifically paying attention to their writing styles and techniques so that you can learn what you love about the way they write.

[Betelhem Demsie]

Reading helps people build their unique personality. I think it's that unique identity that becomes books. Then to communicate with readers, one should know the taste.

[Henry Patrovic]

No, but it certainly helps. Seeing the writing of others can help you find inspiration or improve your style. I definitely recommend people to read a couple of books before they start writing their own stuff.

[leoholmes]

To quote Stephen King: “if you don’t have the time to read, you don’t have the time or tools to write”

[Lizzie Mustard]

Yes definitely. Not only does reading increase your knowledge of the world, it also improves your grammar and vocabulary. To be a great writer you need to be an enthusiastic reader.

[EnclosedReviewer]

I believe that is a way to increase knowledge of everything. I belive will bring richness to the author and engage the reader.

[Jabril Miller]

I don't think there's a way to be a writer without being a reader. You pick up skills from books to help you understand how narrative structures work, how words "flow," and similar details, but you also get innovative, creative ideas from texts that could lead to ones that are better in your own. I don't know a way to replicate this without reading (or at least entertaining some narrative like art or music), so I believe it's a must for any serious writer.

[Tommy Mayengbam]

"Do you think to be a writer, you first need to be a reader?"

Absolutely no!

Anyone can be a writer, regardless of whether he/ she is a reader or not.

But to be a good writer, one needs to be a reader. This one is non-negotiable.

[Runan]

Well, reading and writing go hand-in-hand. One definitely needs to read to learn the format and then go on to experiment with their own style of writing to create something unique. Exposure helps one to differentiate and better understand their writing.

[Ika Apro]

It all comes down to a person's experience and encounters, I think. I have written a few short stories, but I was a reader before I was a writer. Yet we have many great writers that hadn't been readers before.

[human reader]

One recommendation that I've heard for new writers is to take a story you found interesting and do it your own way. Like maybe you liked parts of it but not others, or the ending wasn't what you wanted. Then as you create your story it becomes more unique as you develop your own characters, setting, etc.

[Tomy Chandrafrost]

Yes, through reading we learn to recognize what good writing is and it helps us figure out what kind of books we want to write.

[Charmaine Mahlangu]

Definitely! I think that will also help you avoid certain mistakes made by most authors in writing. This is essential I think it is you doing research about a field you are about to take on .