Writing books but not a reader?

[AgeBeforeBeauty]

Just wondering if it is madness. I don't read books, but like writing and have lots of ideas. Presumably as I don't really read fiction, there's not much chance of getting published?

I did! 🤗🤗🤗 Cambridge! Start in January. Boy, did I have to read & read & read for that interview....

Howwouldufeel...my reading wasn't scholarly or anything like the 'canon' or the classics either. Just contemporary books from Waterstone's with a feminist slant. 👍🤪

Well best of luck. God knows I wouldn’t have had a snowball’s chance in hell getting into Cambridge.

Howudufeel, I didn't think I stood a chance either...my school quals were mediocre. They only ask for a chapter or equivalent of writing. Plus the reading, obvs! Try!

I can guarantee I wouldn’t make it.

Pre Harry Potter, I approached an agent with a story. She told me that there would never, ever again be any call for children's stories set in boarding schools of any description.

Congrats Talented!

How many novels had Jane Austen read? Or Emily Bronte? Or any of the greats of classical literature?

@Verily1 Austen was very well read, hence all the literary jokes and references in her novels. Take a look at the endnotes to the penguin editions for a sample. She read non fiction and poetry as well as novels.

Plenty of other examples of "greats" who read, but I can't think of any who didn't read.

@AgeBeforeBeauty, if impatient or unsure of genre, I highly recommend screenwriting. There's a good TV pilot writing course on Coursera (www.coursera.org/learn/script-writing). You do have to read screenplays to understand structure, but they're short, especially for kids - BBC writers room has lots of free sample scripts to read.

Thanks everyone. I think you're right, perhaps books are not my thing. I do watch a lot of films; I will look into other forms of creative writing where my persona fits better.

OP, give it a go, please do. There is almost certainly something in your memory or genetic memory which is linked to books, writing, words, something. I don't read much now but as a child I read everything - and I mean everything - nothing could be brought into the house or put in front of me or seen by me without me reading it and this went for books (some great, some highly inappropriate for my age) leaflets, readers digests in other people's house toilets, lengthy notices and signs, not to mention Dickens, Shakespeare, Jane Austen and the like. Were you the same?

I went on to become a contracts lawyer and for years drafted and read things law related. I then became a parent and read anything child development related. And that is pretty much all I read now, really.

In terms of genetic memory (said slightly tongue in cheek as I am not certain that I understand the concept correctly) my parents were readers and story tellers and my grandfather was an editor and journalist.

You may write and find it not accepted by editors and at that point turn back a bit and start doing a bit of research by reading. But I would start by writing, if I were you, as you have so many ideas.

jungle - thank you so much for your kind words and inspiration. I used to read a lot as a child, and write short stories/poetry (who didn't!).

I will write for my own enjoyment and share with those around me - I don't expect (as others have highlighted) that any editor would take me seriously, but it's not about just publishing, it's about sharing ideas and creativity for me. Thanks again.