That's pretty much me. I do love reading, but I tend to put books down and forget about them, and I do have to remember it's a thing I can do for fun... Sometimes, of course, I'll be in the mood, grab a book, and read almost the whole thing at once. But generally when I'm having me time I end up writing instead of reading. I need to keep big stacks of fiction around me to remind me that I have hundreds of books for the sake of reading them, not decorating my room.
I'm a terrible reader. I regularly start books and never finish them. Some days I can't even get through magazine articles which are focused on subjects which interest me. I'm such a creature of the TV/computer generation.
Probably a better writer. I love love love to read, but I tend to get too easily distracted while reading. Something about writing makes it easier to stay focused.
unhumble as it may seem to some, to be honest i have to say that i'm better than most humans at both...
Wow mamamia, if you are better than most humans at both, can you help me to become better? I kinda stink at both. I think though, that I am better at reading than writing, but compared to you, I'm probably hopeless.
Definitely a better reader. Hopefully over time I'll be able to increase my skill with a pen to match the skill of my eyes.
Hmm...well it's pretty close, since I really love both, but I'd probably have to say reading just because I've been reading for most of my life and I've always loved to read, whilst I've only recently started writing seriously.
I couldn't agree with you more, Lmc. I, myself, don't read as much I as write. I probably read a page or two in a matter of months. I don't know why I never have the desire to read more. I think I'm just a picky reader, and I want something astounding every single time. But at this moment, I'm trying to stifle that feeling. Reading more will help me to become a better writer. Plus I'll finally have something else to do besides watching TV all day You should try to read books that were adapted into movies. Read the ones that are your favorites. (I loved Treasure Planet as a movie. So I went back and read Treasure Island again. This second reading has been a joy. I should have done it sooner).
I used to be a pretty good reader, and not much of a writer. Lately though-- now that I'm about a third of the way through a first draft of my novel-- I've become a better writer and a terrible reader. I still read-- a lot. But I'm such a freak'n slow reader that I just can't get to all the books on my "to read" list as soon as I'd like. On the other hand, I can write pretty fast when I feel truly connected to the characters.
If only the question was about how good you are compared to others. Alas, it was about whether you're better at one or the other.
I guess I'd need to know how better is. xD I am not a good reader. I feel I am a better writer, but a better watcher than both of them. Reading books does almost nothing for me. Watching does everything.
ok, etan... i meant to imply that i'm equally good at either one... sorry i wasn't specific enough to make that clear... though to equate reading quality with writing quality seems odd to me, since one doesn't really need 'talent' or well-honed skills to read well, as one does to write well... sasha... i'd be happy to help you learn how to write better... i mentor writers of all breeds/ages and levels of ability, offer lessons to those who want to improve their skills... so just drop me a line if you want to join my mob of mentees... love and hugs, maia maia3maia@hotmail.com
The ability to take in story is as much a gift and talent as the ability to output one. Both require imagination, imagery and passion. Reading skills are honed just as writing ones are. General knowledge is a bonus with both and enriches both. I don't see someone sitting down to just 'read' CS Lewis Pilgrims Regress, Shakespeare, Burns, Grassic Gibbon, Legends in their original form without education to back that up. In the UK you used to 'read' for your degree the ability to use reading to take in and use information in certain ways requires education. The first degree course I took trained me in both reading and writing. An even bigger gifft that I appreciate is the ability to suspend my learning and just enjoy the story.
I have to take the side that reading is a skill, and that to be a good writer, it is extremely helpful--if not required--to be a good reader. if you've ever been a school lit class, as I imagine most of us have, you know that people read on all different levels, and that it most certainly involves talent and well-honed skills. Anybody can read a newspaper, but you notice that we have classes on how to read shaksespeare, but not how to read the new york times.
My point wasn't whether the classes were good or not. My point was that reading fiction (or non-fiction) is a skill just like writing it. We get a lot more practice at reading because it's an everyday thing, but that doesn't make it less difficult.
Entirely agree - with this. Also reading aloud is another skill that again comes about through practice and talent. It also usually highlights how talented someone is at reading, because you see how they read coming out in the story. Anyone can read, just like anyone can write. The level you take it to varies with talent and education just like writing.
^^^^^Reading aloud is a skill but hardly one I see as essential to writing. Often inability to read aloud stems less from an inability to read and more just social ticks of some kind. And it could be those very ticks that give one a more unique writing perspective. I know what you meant. My comment was kind of playing into reading as a skill, and some of the things that stand in the way of it. I do think it's important to be a good reader, but I could have long debates on just where reading's benefit really comes from.
I didn't say it was related to writing - it is related to reading and storytelling however. Many stories we have today started in the oral tradition. Someone who can read out loud well does so because they have a good grasp of dialogue voice, characterisation, imagery from the story. They also need a really good grasp of punctuation and grammar. An ability to follow the flow of a story, and portray that. If someone reads out loud well with understanding - you can see their talent and skill at reading. Someone who can't may or may not have it. Being an exceptional actor is not a guarantee you can read an audiobook out loud well either. It does help my writing though - if my story reads easily out loud, the flow, punctuation and grammar are correct. When my story lends itself to distinctive voices when read out loud then I know I have portrayed them in the writing. I personally don't like stories that can't be read out loud I think it important for people who are ill or blind to still be able to enjoy the story. It is much easier to achieve that if you have that skill. You don't need it to be a writer but I do think it helps.
^^^^My voice is too lame to read my work aloud! xD I do see your point. I just don't necessarily agree with it, at least not as a general rule.
I probably suck at both, however; I enjoy them both enough to never let anyone tell me that I really do suck at either one so I just try to improve by keeping at it. If I get there I do, if not then I had fun trying, thats how I look at it.
