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An Open Challenge of the Writing Advice to “Read a lot”
Burn It Down: A Series of Unfortunate Writing Advice(s)
Welcome to the first installment of an unproven writer submitting an unsolicited challenge against the most popular writing advice, so you can make a call on whether or not I’m out of my mind!
Our first piece of advice: “Read a lot, and write a lot”
I know what you’re thinking. This guy must be out of his ever loving mind coming for Stephen King, and you’re probably right, I am.
However, let me make something clear. I’m not challenging Stephen King’s prowess as a writer obviously the guy knows what he’s doing. I also don’t challenge his intent behind this piece of advice. Where this really comes off the rails is how it’s used as a sagely piece of wisdom for many new writers to follow due the the authority attached to it, only to ultimately have them ending up feeling disenfranchised with the whole process.
*cough, cough, ME!*
My aim with this series is two fold:
One, to help new writers really contextualize this advice and put it to use.
Two, help writers who have taken this advice to heart and left their writing in a shallow grave, to come back to it with new fervor.
