In Order to Write Better...

          Hey, guys! If you write or if you are a writer, this situation has most likely happened to you:

         Person: So you write?
         You: Yep.
         Person: Awesome! I write, too!!
         You: Oh, cool. Who are your favorite authors?!
         Person: I don't really read...that much...
         You: ....


        If I have that conversation one more time I might go insane (I mean, I'm already sorta insane, but that's besides the point). I don't think people that say that understand that reading is the second most important thing to writing better besides, well, writing!

       If anyone is reading this and is a writer and doesn't really read, I have one question for you: WHY?

       How do you even become a writer if you don't really like books?! The love of books and stories is what drives most of us teens to become authors. When writers walk into bookstores or libraries you can tell them apart because they look so joyful as they browse the shelves.

         I get it if you're too busy to read, read, read 24/7. I haven't been reading as much as I use to because of life (well, I mean, I use to read around thirty books a week but now I read around ten. So by most standards I still read a lot).

        BUT GUYS. READING IS ESSENTIAL TO WRITING.

        How else are you suppose to find new ways to create characters, build worlds, and make relationships? The books that you read will influence your writing the most, not your emotions, not your experiences (even though I wrote about that, too), but the books.
         The genres.
           The characters.
              The plot twists.

         You learn so much by reading. So I am going to state something that I know a few will think harsh, but trust me I found this to be true:

          IF YOU DON'T READ, YOUR WRITING WILL STINK.

 Are you one of those writers? Or do you know people like this? How much do you think people should read if they want to write well???

Happy Writing,

Oh, and also: I might not post for a while after this.

1. I am going camping on Friday.

2. I have a ten paragraph thesis paper I really feel like I need to focus primarily on.

       So if y'all comment on here late, like on the weekend, I most likely won't answer you right away because I will be sitting on a folding chair in front of a smoky fire while being eaten alive by varmints. Oh, the joys of camping trips! (SAVE ME. SOMEONE SAVE ME.) I actually kinda sorta like camping though, it's just the first hour of being there that I hate... I'm going with friends though, so I will have stuff to do!