Q: Do you have any advice for upcoming writers who want to…
““Q: Do you have any advice for upcoming writers who want to pen weird stories? A: READ, damn it. Fill your brain to the bursting point with the good stuff, starting with writers that you truly enjoy, and then work your way backward and outward, reading those writers who inspired the writers you love best. That was my path as far as Weird/Horror Fiction, starting with Lovecraft, and then working my way backward/outward on the Weird Fiction spiderweb. And don’t limit your reading. Read it all, especially non-fiction and various news outlets. You’d be surprised by how many of my story ideas were born while listening to NPR, perusing a blog, or paging through Vanity Fair. Once you have your fuel squared away, just write what you love, in whatever style and genre. You’ll never have fun being someone you’re not, so be yourself. When a singer opens their mouth, what comes out is what comes out. Also, don’t be afraid to fail, and don’t be afraid to walk away. Writing isn’t for everyone, and that’s totally fine. One doesn’t need to be a writer to enjoy being a reader and overall fan of genre or wider fiction.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reading widely fuels creativity; embrace diverse sources, and write authentically despite fear of failure.
In simple terms: Read broadly, write true to self.
Key Takeaway
Read widely, write authentically.
Themes
writing
creativity
reading
inspiration
growth
Mood
enthusiastic
encouraging
practical
Type
Reading:1
Vanity fair:0
Writer:1
Writing:1
Writing advice:1
Writing process:1
Reading Writers:0
Upcoming Writers:0
Starting Writers:0
Fiction Starting:0
Writer Enjoy:0
When to use this quote
- writing practice
- research
- personal development
Key Concepts
discipline
literary ecosystems
Questions to Reflect On
- What sources most spark your ideas?
- How do you balance reading and writing?
A Different Perspective
Risk of overload can dilute focus.