Reading vs. writing

[SFG75]

Kayla's introductory thread got me thinking about our writers and the balancing of time demands between writing, and doing that which is more vital than breathing itself, reading. So, how do you balance the two and which do you tend to favor more? By no means do I pick up the pen to tell a good story, I can't imagine having something as vital as reading vie for my time.

 

[Hugh]

In his book On Writing, Stephen King says aspiring writers should spend four to six hours per day reading and writing. If he gave any specifics on how to divide those hours between reading and writing, I missed it.

Stephen J. Cannell said a writer should spend at least two hours per day writing, and even preempted a complaint from non-professional writers with a day job by saying, "make the time!"

During the week I set aside 10:45 AM to 12:45 PM for writing. On weekends I write when I find the time for as long as I can stand it before I pour the wine or head to a tavern. I read every night before bed and spend nearly all day on Saturday reading, and Saturday reading includes newspapers as well as novels. I also snatch books from my bookcases and read for a couple of minutes at random times throughout the day.

If you're an author with deadlines to meet, you would need to devote more time to writing than reading. You may still have to find time for other things such as another job to pay bills, laundry, and drinking. If you're not an author with deadlines, you can spend more time reading - but still don't forget drinking time.

From my own experience, I start getting shoulder pain after about two hours in front of a word processor.

 

[Peder]

I am by no means a writer, least of all a writer of so-called poetry that I post here. I am, instead, an avid reader who frequently feels the urge to write the thoughts that cross my mind. Currently that means trying to make progress on writing a meaningful memoir of my life to date. On another forum, a writer-member there commented that (we) people, who wait for inspiration to write, usually produce an inferior product. So be it -- I am working on an inferior memoir, and taking time away from BAR to do it. :

Cheers,
Peder,
The Happy Hacker