“Read, read, read. Source Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.”
Aspiring authors often search for a secret formula. William Faulkner – Biographical They want a shortcut to literary success. However, the most effective advice is surprisingly simple. You must consume stories to create them. This fundamental truth transcends time. It ignores genre boundaries. Furthermore, it challenges our perceptions of quality. Writers must become voracious readers first.
We often debate the origin of this specific command. Does it belong to William Faulkner? Or did Stephen King say it? The answer reveals a fascinating intersection of literary minds. Nevertheless, the message remains more important than the messenger. You cannot write in a vacuum. You must immerse yourself in the written word. Consequently, you learn the craft through osmosis. This article explores the history and application of this timeless wisdom.
The True Origin: Faulkner’s 1947 Classroom Wisdom
History points to William Faulkner as the original source. In April 1947, he visited the University of Mississippi. He spoke to a creative writing class. A student asked him a direct question. They wanted to know the best training for a writing career. Faulkner did not suggest a specific course. Instead, he advocated for a radical reading habit.
He told the students to read absolutely everything. He specifically listed “trash” alongside classics. This distinction is crucial. Faulkner believed you learn from failures as well as masterpieces. He did not want writers to be snobs. On the contrary, he wanted them to be sponges. They needed to absorb every style and technique available.
The Carpenter Analogy
Faulkner used a powerful metaphor to explain his logic. He compared writers to carpenters. A carpenter does not start building immediately. First, they work as an apprentice. They watch the master at work. They study how the master handles tools. Similarly, a writer studies other authors. You observe how they construct sentences. You notice how they build characters.
This process is active, not passive. You are not reading just for entertainment. You are analyzing the construction. “See how they do it,” Faulkner urged. He believed this observation leads to internalization. Eventually, the techniques become part of your own toolkit. Then, you can start writing.
Therefore, the process is cyclical. You read to learn. You write to practice. If your work is good, you keep it. If it fails, you throw it away. Faulkner’s approach was practical and unsentimental. He stripped away the mystique of writing. He revealed it as a trade you must learn.
Stephen King’s Modern Endorsement
Decades later, Stephen King revitalized this concept. He published On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft in 2000. This book became a manual for modern authors. King holds a very similar philosophy. He argues that you cannot separate reading from writing. In fact, he claims they are two sides of the same coin.
King is famously blunt about this requirement. Source He states that if you lack time to read, you lack the time to write. . There are no shortcuts. He carries a book with him everywhere. He reads in waiting rooms. He reads in lines.
However, King adds a contemporary urgency. He believes the “magic” of writing happens during reading. You see what works. You also see what fails. King encourages writers to read bad fiction. He argues that bad books teach you what to avoid. They show you the consequences of lazy writing. Thus, even “trash” has educational value.
The Confusion Over Attribution
Why do people confuse these two authors? The mix-up is understandable. Both men are literary giants. Both advocate for prolific reading. However, the internet accelerated this confusion. In 2013, a blog post circulated widely. It listed rules for writers.
The author of that post combined Faulkner’s quote with King’s advice. She used Faulkner’s “Read, read, read” as a header. Then, she followed it with a quote from King. Readers saw the two together. Consequently, many people now attribute the entire sentiment to King.
This situation highlights a modern irony. We share quotes without checking sources. Yet, the core truth remains valid. Whether Faulkner said it in 1947 or King echoed it in 2000, the advice holds up. It has survived because it works. Every successful writer eventually discovers this reality.
Why You Must Read “Trash”
New writers often resist reading poor quality work. They want to stick to the classics. They fear bad writing will infect them. However, Faulkner and King disagree. They argue that “trash” is an essential teaching tool.
When you read a masterpiece, the seams are invisible. The writer’s technique is flawless. You get lost in the story. Therefore, it is hard to see how they did it. In contrast, bad writing exposes its flaws. You can see the clunky dialogue. You notice the plot holes.
This visibility is educational. You learn to identify mistakes. Subsequently, you learn to avoid them in your own work. You might think, “I can do better than this.” That confidence is vital. It propels you to the keyboard. Thus, reading widely prevents paralysis. It makes the task of writing seem achievable.
Reading in the Digital Age
Today, we face a new challenge. We read constantly, but we read differently. We consume tweets, captions, and headlines. Does this count? Ben Yagoda, a journalism professor, offers a nuanced view. He agrees with the spirit of Faulkner’s advice. However, he adds a modern caveat.
Yagoda notes that digital content is often unpolished. It lacks editorial oversight. Therefore, it might not teach structure effectively. He suggests focusing on material that has passed through a “pipeline.” This usually means books, essays, or edited articles.
Nevertheless, the principle remains. You must engage with text. You must analyze how others communicate. Even a well-crafted email can teach you something. The key is intention. You must read with a writer’s eye. You are not just a consumer anymore. You are a student of the craft.
How to Apply This Advice Today
How do you follow this advice in a busy world? You must prioritize it. Make reading a non-negotiable part of your day.
First, diversify your reading list. Do not stick to one genre. If you write sci-fi, read romance. If you write thrillers, read non-fiction. This cross-pollination strengthens your skills. You learn different pacing techniques. You discover new vocabulary.
Second, carry a book everywhere. Use the time you usually spend scrolling on your phone. Read during your commute. Read while your coffee brews. These small pockets of time add up.
Third, read critically. Ask questions as you read. Why did the author use that word? Why is this scene so tense? Why is this character annoying? Keep a notebook. Write down your observations. This transforms reading into active study.
Conclusion
William Faulkner gave us the blueprint in 1947. Stephen King refined it for a new generation. The advice is clear. You must feed your mind to fuel your writing. You cannot produce output without input.
So, embrace the library. Read the classics that challenge you. Read the paperbacks that entertain you. Read the “trash” that frustrates you. See how they do it. Absorb the lessons. Then, and only then, sit down to write. The blank page is less intimidating when your mind is full of words.