On Writing : Do you read while writing? by Kat Spencer

I used to read for inspiration but now I read to clear my mind. I think I was getting too influenced by what I was reading so now I read stuff that is streets apart from what i'm writing so there is little cross over.

When I write, I don't want to be influenced, so I don't read anything related to what I'm writing about.

Can I bring up a random, slightly related topic? I think there is an assumption that writers are also readers. I'm a writer, and I really don't like reading. Libraries and bookstores overwhelm me. I listen to audiobooks, which I equate to reading books. Debatable, I'm sure. I think the skills it takes to tell a good story, don't line up with reading books. Just a thought.

I agree Jameel Anne Johnson - creations are creations. You don't have to be a reader to be creative.

Kat Spencer reading is great to enhance and re enforce your story.

Hi Kat, I used to definitely worry about influence bleeding through. I’d avoid reading certain genres or stories entirely while writing, just to keep my creative lane clear. But then I heard an author I admire talk about the reality of inspiration, and it completely reframed the way I think.

The truth is, no story is entirely original. To make something marketable, there has to be a level of familiarity and relatability baked in. That’s what makes stories resonate. Our brains naturally make connections to the creative works that have left a lasting impression. You can’t read about a sprawling fantasy world without your mind pulling a thread back to Tolkien. You can’t write about young magic-wielders without brushing against some level of Harry Potter nostalgia. The same is true across romance, horror, sci-fi—you name it.

But I’ve realized that if you’re someone who’s inspired by creativity, then reading while writing isn’t a hindrance, it’s fuel. It sharpens your voice and helps you see how others tackle tone, structure, or character.

Now, if I notice something I’m working on feels too close to something else, I don’t panic, I just tweak it until it feels like mine. Because here’s the other thing: I could give everyone on Stage 32 the exact same prompt, with strict genre and character guidelines, and we’d still end up with thousands of wildly different stories. Only you can write the story you’re going to tell, in your unique voice.

All that to say, I don’t stress about it anymore. Reading makes me a better writer and a saner person.

Yes, I read screenplays not for inspiration, because my imagination alone could fuel a thousand more. I read to learn the language of the industry, to understand what a professional script truly looks like. I ‘stole’ structure, rhythm, and format from those who came before me then fused it all with a creative spirit that simply can’t be matched. I’m a lethal weapon in this craft: trained by the wisdom of others, driven by a voice that doesn’t run out.

I read fiction ALL THE TIME!

As a book editor, I can't help but recommend reading a lot, always, and especially in our genre, Kat Spencer The more books we read, the more we're aware of cliches and more able to avoid them. It seems counterintuitive, but reading our genre doesn't limit or influence the writing in a bad way: in reality, it makes us more creative and original!