To become a better writer, read as much as you can

	To become a better writer, read as much as you can(nappertime.com)
	470 points by andsoitis 18 days ago \| 261 comments
	tl;dr: A published author argues the one universal rule for aspiring writers is to read voraciously and widely, dismissing the common excuse of being "too busy" when most people spend hours daily on their phones. Reading teaches craft through osmosis, provides inspiration (especially cross-genre), and physically rewires the brain for the sustained focus and imagination writing requires—whereas digital addiction does the opposite. He also takes a swipe at generative AI users as people who "like the idea of making art" without actually loving the form.
	HN Discussion: ↑Reading is essential to writing; writers who don't read are baffling ↓Writing practice itself matters more than reading for improving craft ~Reading is valuable but must be done critically/consciously to improve writing ~The advice applies to literary fiction but conflates it with genre/oral storytelling traditions ↑Immersion in a medium naturally shapes your output through osmosis, for better or worse