Can you do both at the same time? That would sure take skill. I guess I am writing and reading at the same time as I type this now. Would that qualify? No? It has to be someone else's? Hey, I do pretend to be a rhyming cat, so there is that. It is another voice. That must count. No? Stop looking at me. Or looking at my words. Unless you really are a peeper then go with the first. Unless...let's not get into that and get on with it. The question this month is:
It's been said that the benefits of becoming a writer who does not read is that all your ideas are new and original. Everything you do is an extension of yourself, instead of a mixture of you and another author. On the other hand, how can you expect other people to want your writing, if you don't enjoy reading? What are your thoughts?
Damn, you better watch it, you are becoming as wordy as me. That's like a statement and two questions. Would that be cheating? No one likes a cheater. So they say anyway. Who are they? We've been there. They are them. What? You asked for thoughts. You never really specified which thoughts. My thoughts right now are that I should have another handful of cashews. Even if it will give me the runs. And since I don't have to work on Sunday, that is okay. But if today was Sunday then that would be bad. I have no want to crap in the woods. Although it beats a nasty port a pottie.
Are you still looking at my words? Haven't lost you yet? Yeah, I think if you've suffered it out this many years then you're still here. Maybe I should flip to the other hand already. Is it different than my other hand? Hey, you asked on the other hand. Not me. Nope. The same. I guess we'll go back to my one semi-working hand. Oh, my thoughts are there now. Better get this out.
You don't have to enjoy anything to do a good job at it. Whether that be writing or a colonoscopy. Blame Al's post for the latter there. But if you enjoy it and experience others it can make you appreciate things more. Plus, there is the whole community aspect to it. Depends on one's time and tolerance, in many cases, for the community aspect though. Still not sure on how you would create joy out of a colonoscopy, but to each their own.
My thoughts are drifting toward poop machines making noises, so I guess that is all you are going to get. At least until the thoughts come back to it. Could be today, could be tomorrow, could be Uncle Pattie has to get back to babysitting as nap time is over. Could be I switched from first to third person too. I do that.
What are your thoughts? Note: I didn't specify. Note #2: Don't admit anything super bad. Note #3: Review the first note.
Enjoy life, forget the strife.
Damn, you better watch it, you are becoming as wordy as me. That's like a statement and two questions. Would that be cheating? No one likes a cheater. So they say anyway. Who are they? We've been there. They are them. What? You asked for thoughts. You never really specified which thoughts. My thoughts right now are that I should have another handful of cashews. Even if it will give me the runs. And since I don't have to work on Sunday, that is okay. But if today was Sunday then that would be bad. I have no want to crap in the woods. Although it beats a nasty port a pottie.
Are you still looking at my words? Haven't lost you yet? Yeah, I think if you've suffered it out this many years then you're still here. Maybe I should flip to the other hand already. Is it different than my other hand? Hey, you asked on the other hand. Not me. Nope. The same. I guess we'll go back to my one semi-working hand. Oh, my thoughts are there now. Better get this out.
You don't have to enjoy anything to do a good job at it. Whether that be writing or a colonoscopy. Blame Al's post for the latter there. But if you enjoy it and experience others it can make you appreciate things more. Plus, there is the whole community aspect to it. Depends on one's time and tolerance, in many cases, for the community aspect though. Still not sure on how you would create joy out of a colonoscopy, but to each their own.
My thoughts are drifting toward poop machines making noises, so I guess that is all you are going to get. At least until the thoughts come back to it. Could be today, could be tomorrow, could be Uncle Pattie has to get back to babysitting as nap time is over. Could be I switched from first to third person too. I do that.
What are your thoughts? Note: I didn't specify. Note #2: Don't admit anything super bad. Note #3: Review the first note.
Enjoy life, forget the strife.
Good point about community. Hard to be a part of it if you didn't read.
ReplyDeleteIf that's where your thoughts are drifting maybe it's because you hang out with those kids too often.
Yep, hard to be part of it indeed. haha so I need more adult interaction? But adults are annoying.
DeleteReading and writing go hand in hand. You poop on your own.
ReplyDeleteThat they do. Easy peasy.
DeleteI guess what the question should have specified is leisure reading perhaps? lol I'm so busy writing that I don't have much time to just sit and read. That's why I love audiobooks. So far this year I've read 157 books, most of the audiobooks.
ReplyDeleteDamn, you got me beat by far. Audiobooks sure are a win.
DeleteI think you're right about what you write!
ReplyDeleteRight on with my write.
DeleteIt’s so true about writers being a community. And reading is a part of a writing community.
ReplyDeleteThat reading is indeed.
DeleteI can't imagine being a writer and not reading. Actually, I can't imagine not reading period.
ReplyDeleteYeah, sure seems kinda dumb in many a way.
DeleteIf a person never read he'd be running stop signs and speeding all the time. Gotta read those!
ReplyDeleteIs that what such nuts who do that can claim?
DeleteYou're all over the place today. Perhaps reading will help you focus. Reading inspires writing, whether you rhyme, or not.
ReplyDeleteHappy IWSG Day!
Mary at Play off the Page
Enjoy life, forget the strife. Can I get that on a tee with a picture of the cat? I promise to read it as originally as I can.
DeleteThat reading can do. Focus, pffft, who needs that.
DeleteSaying the cat should go into business?
DeleteAlways good to keep up with the community. I'm reading my way around some blogs today.
ReplyDeleteBlogs sure count indeed. Some can be rather mouthy.
DeleteThat's true, if you don't read, your ideas are new and original! But I guess it's very hard not to be influenced in any way in this era of information!
ReplyDeleteYeah, there are always something or someone out there that will influence.
DeleteI like what Joanne said. But I will say not that I'm a writer, but I would think one would want to read in addition to write, just to see what is out there and what others are reading.
ReplyDeletebetty
Yeah, it is always good to see and know.
DeleteReading is life. How can you live without reading? We do it everyday. Some more than others:)
ReplyDeleteThat we do, although I know a few who can't read.
DeleteI do not do enough reading, to my sadness. Why? Migraines affect my vision is my reason, but is it really?
ReplyDeleteHow old is the poop machine?
Migraines suck a bunch. Don't want to do much when those hit. They are 2 and a half.
DeleteI believe someone once asked Stephen King about what makes a good writer. He said you have to read a lot. If one of the best author's says read to write better, who am I to shuck his advice?
ReplyDeleteYeah, can't argue with him. Can, but it won't do much good. He'll still be a millionaire and I'd be broke lol
DeleteAll these years and you're still typing with just one hand!! That poor other hand probably has lots of writing ideas and he doesn't even get the chance to speak. Does uncle pattie change diapers with both hands or one? Between poop machines and colonoscopies, you're typing hand may be trying to tell you something!! Maybe he needs a glove during babysitting hours. :)
ReplyDeletehaha the poor hand is jealous, maybe? Making my other go all crap talk. I could go farther, but I'll refrain lol Both hands get the diaper change a going. No buttons, so both can work that way. Don't worry, both are washed thoroughly afterwards.
DeleteLOL When I asked for juice, the crap talk isn't exactly what I was looking for, but I guess it will do. :)
DeleteHey, you wanted the poop river, not me.
Deletehaha - reading and writing as you type this. See you can multi-task and stay in the character of a cat. I have been here a long time so yes, I do know the meanderings of your mind. I think reading helps one become a better writer. You are prolific with all your books.
ReplyDeleteCan do both with ease and be a cat. Reading does help, but I don't need much for my mind to go off lol
DeleteDoes reading include blogs??
ReplyDeleteThat it does, some people are rather mouthy.
DeleteHa. Your take on the question is unique as usual, Pat, but I'm glad it is a question, not that I understand its need, cuz all writers love reading, don't they? Obviously not. I heard one puffed up pitiful author say -'I don't read books, I write them.' Well, he expects people to buy his books and read, don't you think? Ego plus.
ReplyDeleteYeah, those ego plus people can go sit on a sharp stick.
DeleteI giggled at the noise of a poop machine... no, I've never been mature... but I've always been a reader. Actually that's not true. There was one year I didn't read a single book. And my writing suffered big time because of it. Never again!
ReplyDeletehaha who needs to be mature. Goes to show the correlation indeed.
DeleteI'll tell you when there is joy in a colonoscopy ~ When you're unexpectedly in the hospital bleeding out and your colonoscopy proves you do not have cancer or some other horrible thing. Besides, it's not the colonoscopy that's bad, it's the prep! So your nephews are twins??? That will keep you hopping Uncle Pat!
ReplyDeletehaha well I guess there is a plus to everything. Yeah, the prep sucks. Butt meets toilet for hours and hours and then a little more. Ugg. Twins they be, as they stay with Uncle Pattie and keep me hopping.
DeleteBased on your books that I've read so far, I think you would love to be a parent. I'm betting that you are finding much joy in being Uncle Pattie. As for the kiddos, I'm betting they adore you!
DeleteYeah, if my state allowed it, a parent would be fun, but not so far. Uncle Pattie it will have to be and the kiddos sure have fun, Cassie and Orlin not so much lol
DeleteI thought I knew a lot about you
ReplyDeletebut now I know what makes you poo
and that you'll poop in the woods
which is good
for me to know
if you ever need to go
while we're on a drive together
as long as it's decent weather
Elsie
Bah, decent weather or not
DeleteI'll go if I find a good spot
And I know all the spots too
At least within a certain range at our zoo
Life with such 9-5 crap
Rather stay near a loo and nap
You need to read to keep in the know and now!
ReplyDeleteThe know and now is where it is at
DeleteThanks Pat for your, as usual , entertaining post. You’re right to make light of the question, statement or both. Reading and writing are two faces of a same coin. You can’t have one without the other. As to colonoscopy. Do the guys who perform it really enjoy it ? HA !
ReplyDeleteHave an inspiring WEP.
Same side of the coin indeed. lol well you never know, some people can sure enjoy things others don't.
DeleteYou pretend to be a rhyming cat? And here all this time I thought the cat was sitting here typing away. Hmmm
ReplyDeleteOr maybe I'm pretending at pretending to be a rhyming cat and really am a rhyming cat pretending not to be one.
DeleteHmmm, did you eat too many of those cashews? Get a couple bad ones, or something? I mean, your post is very poop-oriented... and ya know, this uptight old broad finds that very offensive. HA! Yeah, riiiiight.
ReplyDeleteI love that you get to spend so much time with your nephews. Won't be long before you can read some of your books to them. :)
haha out it will run if I have too much cashew fun. Can't offend those uptight people lol Pffft right indeed.
DeleteSpends weekends with them at least once a month usually. Poopy diapers and all. Soon enough books can be read.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteA mistake you did make?
DeleteI'm a wee bit tired today, so you've maxed out my capacity for reading and understanding which like reading and writing do seem to go well together. However, I still seem capable of commiserating about bodily functions and have done so throughout your post.
ReplyDeletehaha yeah, understanding sure needs to be in there at some point. Good capability to have I suppose.
DeleteWriting communities are inspiring as this one always is. Enjoyed the post.
ReplyDeleteThat they are.
DeleteKeep on writing and reading. I like to learn and be exposed to other people's styles. Nothing wrong with that, but listen a lot to your inner voice.
ReplyDeleteYeah, being exposed to other styles is good, as long as you listen to your own inner voice.
DeleteI've always loved to read. I can remember reading the backs of bottles and cereal boxes in the kitchen when I was young. As a news reporter, I tried to avoid reading competing papers until after I'd written my stories. I didn't want my stories to be the same as any other writer's. But you can darn sure bet I was reading them after we went to press... and comparing!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, can see why you wouldn't want to read them. All trying to tell the same story in different ways. Best to wait and compare later.
DeleteHow can someone write a great book if they don’t read? I can’t wrap my head around that but you ended up talking bout poop and colonoscopies so that is quite a drift away from the question. If someone enjoys a colonoscopy they must enjoy getting their teeth drilled. They need to see a psychiatrist
ReplyDeleteYeah, not sure how they can indeed, but many think they can. haha drilled and filled in more ways than one.
DeleteLOL! I laughed too at how long the questions was this time. :P
ReplyDeleteSure wanted to get a lot in there
Delete