J.K. Rowling is often asked to give advice to aspiring writers, and her answer is always the same:

“Read as much as you possibly can. Nothing will help you as much as reading and you’ll go through a phase where you will imitate your favorite writers and that’s fine because that’s a learning experience too.”

Over a decade ago, I heard the same advice at a writer’s conference I attended. The presenter, the author of a dozen books, encouraged us to read 100 books of whatever kind we hoped to publish. Read 100 mysteries. 100 memoirs. 100 children’s books, 100 novels in the genre you want to write. A collective gasp filled the room. What? Writers are supposed to read??

However, I believe it is sound advice. A writer who never reads books is like a musician who never listens to music. It just doesn’t make sense. If writers are serious about their craft, they will want to read the acclaimed writers in their field and learn from them. I know, I do.

Thoughts? Questions? As always, I’d love to hear from you.

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P.S. My novels, Seeking Sara Summers and The Secret Sense of Wildflower are available as AUDIO books on Audible, Amazon and iTunes. If you don’t want to read, you can always listen.