Reading and Writing

I do it all the time. :) Sometimes I will find bits and pieces of the books may work themselves into my story, especially if it's a really good book, but that happens whether I'm actively reading or not, so I don't worry about it. If I didn't read/write at the same time, I never would have gotten any reading done in my entire life... I'm always writing!

Definitely not a bad idea. I do it all the time. It can be really helpful, too. If I'm stuck in my story I'll read for an hour or two and be ready to continue writing. So I say go ahead and write and read away.

Well, I'm always writing, so if I didn't read books at the same time I'd never read at all! :D

Admittedly, I may not read as much during NaNo, due to writing even more during that time. But I still have a moment here and there where I can't really write, but I can whip out a paperback.

Reading and writing are good. You may learn to read with a critical mind -- although this takes practice. Why do I like this? Is the style good? The characterization? The description? Or, alternatively, why do I want to throw this book across the room? Why do I feel confused? Why am I angry? Is it at the character or the writer?

Reading can also be very inspiring. You may decide to drop the book and go scurrying off to your own story. (I love it when that happens.)

If I remember correctly, Stephen King had a strong opinion in favor of this in "On Writing". Check it out.

Read until you can't read anymore. >.<;; This is approximately where I am at. Anyhow, I encourage you to read inside and outside of genre. Most pros read more than by half non-fiction stuff. Know junk like the 10 decimal place of pi. What a baby pigeon looks like and Queen Victoria's genetic quirk.

These definitely help your writing. The danger of any writer though is not being able to read fiction anymore. Gah. Still gets to me.