Reading or writing novels: which do you prefer?

[Eldoria]

Reading or Writing Novels? ​

I used to enjoy reading hundreds of web novels across various genres. But somehow, since I decided to write my own novels, my passion for reading other novels has waned. I haven't even read another novel in two months.

1. Do you feel the same way that I feel it?
2. Which do you prefer: reading novels or writing novels, or do you enjoy both?

 

[CharlesEBrown]

If I had the time to do both, I would like both equally, but now "stealing" time to read feels just like that - stealing time away from other activities like writing, work, or family stuff.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Reading becomes harder the more you write. Sometimes because there just isn't any time and others because reading "good" literature can make what you're writing feel less valuable. This can kill writing motivation despite reading being a necessary part of learning to write better.

 

[NotaNuffian]

Reading becomes harder the more you write. Sometimes because there just isn't any time and others because reading "good" literature can make what you're writing feel less valuable. This can kill writing motivation despite reading being a necessary part of learning to write better.

I read more than I write because what Tromba stated.

It gets real depressing when you see your idea on someone else's work. And it hurts even more when you know they did it better than whatever you have planned.

But lately, I found myself writing more because all that I like to read is slowly missing.

I like bombastic fight scenes, I like thunderous actions and I like MC getting gud by training and using said training on others who deserve it.

I also like if the characters have more dimensions, such as likes and dislikes other than murder. I want to feel that the world I am reading feels real enough. I can't get to that level of writing, maybe forever, but I still want to try because all the recent works I had are failing on so much fronts.

 

[Deleted member 166465]

Reading becomes harder the more you write. Sometimes because there just isn't any time and others because reading "good" literature can make what you're writing feel less valuable. This can kill writing motivation despite reading being a necessary part of learning to write better.

Time is tha main issue.
On the matter of reading, my main concern is to get "inspired" or "Influenced" by other writers. My books are not good, but they carry my (bad) style all the way through. I try to be "Original" (if such a thing exist) I am not sure what I want to accomplish, but I am sure that it will be awesome (or not).
Anyway, try to be "original" is the minimum petty thing I just cant ignore.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

I read more than I write because what Tromba stated.

It gets real depressing when you see your idea on someone else's work. And it hurts even more when you know they did it better than whatever you have planned.

But lately, I found myself writing more because all that I like to read is slowly missing.

I like bombastic fight scenes, I like thunderous actions and I like MC getting gud by training and using said training on others who deserve it.

I also like if the characters have more dimensions, such as likes and dislikes other than murder. I want to feel that the world I am reading feels real enough. I can't get to that level of writing, maybe forever, but I still want to try because all the recent works I had are failing on so much fronts.

Time is tha main issue.
On the matter of reading, my main concern is to get "inspired" or "Influenced" by other writers. My books are not good, but they carry my (bad) style all the way through. I try to be "Original" (if such a thing exist) I am not sure what I want to accomplish, but I am sure that it will be awesome (or not).
Anyway, try to be "original" is the minimum petty thing I just cant ignore.

So both of you are on the opposite spectrum of the issue. Interesting.

 

[Corty]

Writing. Since writing, I barely read... It's just not the same anymore.

 

[Wenlock]

I sometimes feel sorry for the writer whose work is really good because they cannot experience the joy of their own book as a reader. Like "what a great story! that you will never read!" Reading is definitely better. I do that often when I lose inspiration. So when I read something really good I get that 3am motivation to top their writing. It's like watching a calisthenics video on Sunday.

 

[Deleted member 166465]

So both of you are on the opposite spectrum of the issue. Interesting.

I Guess, I used to read a lot... like a lot, and I know is very hard to come with something "new" be it style or plot. I have made the mistake of writing "the reverse" of what I used to read, what ends up been the lazy aproach. So now I have to rework my whole mindset. That is annoying, but also kind of fresh.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

I Guess, I used to read a lot... like a lot, and I know is very hard to come with something "new" be it style or plot. I have made the mistake of writing "the reverse" of what I used to read, what ends up been the lazy aproach. So now I have to rework my whole mindset. That is annoying, but also kind of fresh.

It is understandable. Everyone's understanding of what they read it different and it brings about new ideas. Consider what you have read, what journey you wish to go on, and how to do it.

 

[Phoenix7ate9]

I have often find writing,easier to cope with reading,I see a novel with 300 chapters,no time to commit to catch up.I see a new novel maybe five chapters, I binge it all at once then forget to continue cause im busy.sigh

 

[Paul__Michaels]

Reading becomes harder the more you write. Sometimes because there just isn't any time and others because reading "good" literature can make what you're writing feel less valuable. This can kill writing motivation despite reading being a necessary part of learning to write better.

It's funny for me. I don't read as much of others work because I have the issue where I want to insert my style of writing into a work. That has more to do with going through other amateur authors on SH. And if I do read a published author's work I look on how to implement some of their pros into my own writings.

But my mindset is in a different place than most. I wrote my works because I couldn't find a novel I loved. (There were a few I liked, but not outright loved) So, I went into this writing for myself, and now it's transitioned into writing for my readers. But it is still the stories I want to write.

I can understand getting depressed when viewing someone else's work and feeling like you should be better. We all face it in some fashion or another, but as long as you give yourself some time to reflect, while continuing to put in the work. You will find an audience.

 

[frostednightfall]

I like reading more. I'm just starting my writing journey seeing as most said they prefer writing over reading, I can't wait till my preference also changes.

 

[Eldoria]

But my mindset is in a different place than most. I wrote my works because I couldn't find a novel I loved. (There were a few I liked, but not outright loved) So, I went into this writing for myself, and now it's transitioned into writing for my readers. But it is still the stories I want to write.

Wow... I finally found someone similar to me. I also write not because I want to be a writer but I was forced to write after reading hundreds of novels... and not finding a novel that fully represents my preferences (mostly only a small portion of preferences are represented from the hundreds of novels I have read).

Therefore, I write a novel to represent my preferences... in the form of fiction. It's like filling the empty gaps in the list of tropes written by hundreds of mainstream novels... and representing my conscience as a reader who is 'frustrated' with mainstream novels that seem to 'copy-paste' trope patterns.

 

[Hoshino]

I much more of a reader than I'm a writer-nya.

 

[Alicerty789]

Hello! Of course as an Author writing is one of the thing that ı always addicted to death and to end of my life but reading also an asprition for many thing like action scenes and character diolages so yeah, I think both should be fine mate! And ı shall intruduce a work of mine hope you enjoy or maybe curious about it! Hope you enjoy mates!

 

[venomoussilence]

I'm more of a writer then reading.
When I was younger I loved to read, but I don't have the time anymore between university, family and then writing to read. I try to read one or two chapters of stories in between my writing, especially when I have chapters in my work that are very draining to write.

 

[Paul__Michaels]

Wow... I finally found someone similar to me. I also write not because I want to be a writer but I was forced to write after reading hundreds of novels... and not finding a novel that fully represents my preferences (mostly only a small portion of preferences are represented from the hundreds of novels I have read).

Therefore, I write a novel to represent my preferences... in the form of fiction. It's like filling the empty gaps in the list of tropes written by hundreds of mainstream novels... and representing my conscience as a reader who is 'frustrated' with mainstream novels that seem to 'copy-paste' trope patterns.

 

[Kara_dija]

I would say that I've read A LOT of novels, mangas, manhwas. Like reading a 300 pages book in 2 days was NOTHING. But lately (even before i started writing my novel) i feel like reading new things take up too much of my mental space. I read things occasionally now. Even rarely if its new stuff.
I also am not the kind of person who gets "inspired" by a new book, or find faults in my writing because of someone's work. I am a mindless reader ig. I don't try to uncover the plot twists, unless smth that's too obvious to my pattern recognition habit. So, I read when I'm not burnt out, which happens rarely. Or even rarely when an impulse arises to start something I fancied online. Or when I'm hit by a sudden burst of nostalgia for an oldie.

TL/DR: I used to read a lot of books, now i dont.

 

[Navillus]

Both are the only meaningful thing in my life other than the existence of cats… I’ve been reading 10 to 12 hours a day for more than 8 years straight so far and when I’m not reading I’m writing-nyah.