I often hear published writers say they don’t have time to read anymore. It is often in interviews while promoting their own work, when they are asked what books they have read lately. Some writers say they don’t have time to read at all, others not as much as they would like to. Those who do read often only read ARCs (advanced reader copies) of new books they have been asked to write a blurb for, or nonfiction books as research for their fiction. They are too busy writing books to be reading books for leisure, or so they say. But this is not an excuse—it is cope. All writers need to always be reading. (ABR)

One of the most prolific writers, Stephen King, is also one of the most prolific readers. I am staggered by the number of King books in every bookstore, but am even more amazed at how many books by other authors feature a glowing blurb from King on the cover. He watches a ton of TV and movies too—plus he has a family. You could imagine a Stephen Kingesque horror story about an author using some kind of sinister dark magic to find more hours in the day. Perhaps some demon takes over his body while he sleeps to read and write more books. However, the truth is much more banal. 

In his classic book On Writing, King reveals his daily writing routine, how he only writes four hours per day in the morning, but he does it every day. Only two of those hours are actually spent writing new material; the other two are spent editing and polishing. King then has the entire afternoon and evening for leisure activities, including reading books. Four hours of work may not seem like a lot, but it has enabled King to publish at least one book per year his entire life. It is difficult to maintain peak creative focus much longer than four hours anyway. Plus a creative writer is never really not working. Every experience is potential research for stories, and the subconscious mind is always simmering with new ideas. I am constantly taking notes on my phone when out and about. And reading itself, even for “leisure,” is a part of the job.

I’ve developed a similar writing routine to Stephen King, doing my core writing work every morning when I have the most mental energy. I also have a reading routine that has helped me to become a prolific reader. First thing upon waking in the morning, I listen to an audiobook while lying in bed with my eyes closed for twenty minutes or so. After that, I read a nonfiction book while drinking coffee before I begin writing that day. Upon finishing my morning writing session I go for a walk and eat lunch, then read a fiction book (a short story and/or part a novel). Finally I do a second writing session in the afternoon. Like King, I write about four hours per day, but I break it up, doing two hours of writing in the morning then two hours of editing/busywork in the afternoon. 

If you have a day job, copying King’s (or my) precise writing routine might be more difficult, but you can read books (or listen to audiobooks) during your commute, or depending on the day job, while you are “working.” But full-time writers, whether self-published or traditional, have no excuse. If Stephen King can find the time to do it all, so can you. You must read, even if it means publishing less often. Reading is as much a part of the job for a writer as writing. 

Writers must always be reading great books in order to improve upon their craft. No matter who you are, you have not reached the pinnacle of writing prose. You can always learn more. You need to learn more. And there is no better way to learn how to write than reading great writers. Take inspiration from masters of the past. 

I can understand a writer not wanting to read modern books currently being published, as that can influence their own work, and they might end up writing about the same ideas or inadvertently copy someone. That is an acceptable excuse. You don’t need to read new books (though it might help), but there’s no excuse to not be reading the classics. And there’s no way any writer has read all of the classics. There are so many great books to choose from. If you’ve read all of Dostoyevsky, read his books again. Also study the classics of history and philosophy, like Homer and Plato.

Another thing some writers say is they don’t (or can’t) read fiction while writing fiction because it will influence their writing style. This is impossible for me to do (and should be for any serious fiction writer) because I am always writing fiction (and so should any serious fiction writer). You just need to learn how to compartmentalize your reading and writing.¹ ABR + ABW = Always Be Reading and Always Be Writing.

It’s usually commercial fiction writers (or algorithmic writers) who say they don’t have time to read. They are chasing the market today, but they will likely not be remembered in the long run. Their books will not be future classics because they’re not bothering to read the classics of old. If you are a writer, finding time to read others’ books is just as important as finding time to write your own. Reading makes your writing better. 

Perhaps others have different priorities, but I would personally rather write one great book every three years than three mediocre books each year—even if the mediocre books sell more copies (in the short term). I am writing for the long term. I don’t presume to say my writing is great (yet), but the only hope I have of writing great books of my own someday is to read great books by others now. 

1. If reading others’ fiction does indeed affect how you write your own fiction, then at least my practice of exclusively reading nonfiction before writing, then reading fiction after I’ve written my fiction for the day, seems to help alleviate those effects. ↩︎