Read Everything: Trash, Classics & More

“Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it.” Source

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Aspiring authors often search for a secret formula to literary success. They want a shortcut. However, the most effective advice is surprisingly simple: you must consume stories to create them. This fundamental truth transcends time. It ignores genre boundaries and challenges our perceptions of quality. Writers must become voracious readers first.

We often debate the origin of the specific command “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” takes shape in modern writing advice. 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 to speak with a creative writing class. A student asked him a direct question about the best training for a writing career. Faulkner did not suggest a specific course. Instead, he advocated for a radical reading habit rooted in the principle of “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” gets established through practice.

According to his response, students needed to read absolutely everything. He specifically listed “trash” alongside classics—a distinction that proved 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, absorbing every style and technique available.

Who Really Said Read Everything

The Carpenter Analogy

Faulkner used a powerful metaphor to explain his logic by comparing writers to carpenters. A carpenter does not start building immediately. First, they work as an apprentice, watching the master at work and studying how tools are handled. Similarly, a writer studies other authors, observing how they construct sentences and 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, emphasizing that the “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” concept requires critical engagement. He believed this observation leads to internalization, eventually making techniques part of your own toolkit.

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, stripping away the mystique of writing and revealing it as a trade you must learn.

Stephen King’s Modern Endorsement

Decades later, Stephen King revitalized this concept when he published On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft in 2000. This book became a manual for modern authors who share Faulkner’s philosophy. King 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, reading in waiting rooms and lines.

However, King adds a contemporary urgency to the “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” framework. 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 because bad books teach you what to avoid, showing you the consequences of lazy writing. Thus, even “trash” has educational value.

The Confusion Over Attribution

Why do people confuse these two authors? Both men are literary giants who advocate for prolific reading. However, the internet accelerated this confusion significantly. In 2013, a blog post circulated widely listing rules for writers.

What Read Read Read Everything Means

The author of that post combined Faulkner’s quote with King’s advice, using “Read, read, read” as a header and following it with a quote from King. Readers saw the two together. Consequently, many people now attribute the entire sentiment to King rather than understanding how the “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” advice evolved across generations.

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 because every successful writer eventually discovers this reality.

Why You Must Read “Trash”

New writers often resist reading poor quality work, wanting to stick to the classics and fearing that bad writing will infect them. However, both Faulkner and King disagree. They argue that “trash” is an essential teaching tool grounded in the principle that you must practice the “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” approach.

When you read a masterpiece, the seams are invisible and the writer’s technique appears flawless. You get lost in the story and therefore struggle to see how they did it. In contrast, bad writing exposes its flaws. You can see the clunky dialogue and notice the plot holes immediately.

This visibility is educational. You learn to identify mistakes and subsequently avoid them in your own work. You might think, “I can do better than this.” That confidence is vital because it propels you to the keyboard. Thus, reading widely prevents paralysis and 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 than Faulkner’s generation. 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 but adds a modern caveat.

Yagoda notes that digital content is often unpolished and lacks editorial oversight. Therefore, it might not teach structure effectively. He suggests focusing on material that has passed through a “pipeline,” which usually means books, essays, or edited articles where the “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” methodology gains real traction.

How This Quote Changed Writers Forever

Nevertheless, the principle remains unchanged. You must engage with text and analyze how others communicate. Even a well-crafted email can teach you something valuable. The key is intention. 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 and 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 and teaches you different pacing techniques while expanding your vocabulary.

Second, carry a book everywhere. Use the time you usually spend scrolling on your phone. Read during your commute or while your coffee brews. These small pockets of time add up significantly.

Third, read critically and ask questions as you go. Why did the author use that word? Why is this scene so tense? Keep a notebook and write down your observations. This transforms reading into active study, embodying the true spirit of “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” becomes a lived practice rather than mere advice.

Conclusion

William Faulkner gave us the blueprint in 1947. Stephen King refined it for a new generation. The advice is clear and enduring: 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 and 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 and shaped by the wisdom that “read, read, read. read everything-trash, classics, good and bad, and see how quote origin” truly captures the essence of becoming a writer.