--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You've got to be a good reader. So…" description: "\"You've got to be a good reader. So whatever genre that you're interested in, read a lot of books about it and it's better than any kind of writing clas..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/477/homer-hickam-10698_admire_you-ve-got-to-be-a-good-reader-so-whatev_1987313.jpg" --- # You've got to be a good reader. So whatever genre that… ![“You've got to be a good reader. So whatever genre that you're interested in, read a lot of books about it and it's better than any kind of writing class you'll ever take. You will absorb techniques and then in a lot of cases you can just start writing using the style of the book or the author that…” quote by Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/477/homer-hickam-10698_admire_you-ve-got-to-be-a-good-reader-so-whatev_1987313.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/477/homer-hickam-10698_admire_you-ve-got-to-be-a-good-reader-so-whatev_1987313.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/477/homer-hickam-10698_admire_you-ve-got-to-be-a-good-reader-so-whatev_1987313.jpg) > “You've got to be a good reader. So whatever genre that you're interested in, read a lot of books about it and it's better than any kind of writing class you'll ever take. You will absorb techniques and then in a lot of cases you can just start writing using the style of the book or the author that you admire and then your own style will emerge out of that. Be a diligent reader and then try to write seriously, professionally and approach everything in writing in a professional way.” [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) ## 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 builds a toolbox of techniques that inform and shape one's own writing voice, leading to professional growth. **In simple terms:** Read many books to develop your writing style. Key Takeaway Read, absorb, then write professionally. Themes learning writing development Mood inspired determined reflective Type advice motivational educational When to use this quote - writing workshops - self‑study - genre exploration - mentor feedback Key Concepts skill acquisition style formation professionalism Questions to Reflect On - How will you apply learned techniques to your own work? - What genre will you explore next? A Different Perspective Reading alone doesn't guarantee originality; practice and feedback are essential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Approach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/approach/) [Book](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/book/) [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Class](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/class/) [Genre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/genre/) [Style](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/style/) [Technique](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technique/) [Writer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writer/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I come to writing from hearing great stories as a child in Louisiana, where the mark of a person was his or her ability…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rebecca-wells/i-come-to-writing-from-hearing-great-stories-as-a-child-in-louisiana/) [Rebecca Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rebecca-wells/) > [I think I approach all of my writing in the same way. I mean, it's my job, and I'm committed to it. I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-cooper/i-think-i-approach-all-of-my-writing-in-the-same-way-i-mean-it-s-my/) [T Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-cooper/) > [My general approach to writing fiction is that you try to have as few conceptual notions as possible and you just respond to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/my-general-approach-to-writing-fiction-is-that-you-try-to-have-as-few/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“As with most things, my approach to writing has been entirely ass-backwards. I first had to become everything but a writer -- exhaust all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-r-bufogle/as-with-most-things-my-approach-to-writing-has-been-entirely-ass/) [Quentin R. Bufogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-r-bufogle/) > [My approach to writing and recording now is pretty much the same as when I started. Except now I worry even less about what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-mckeown/my-approach-to-writing-and-recording-now-is-pretty-much-the-same-as/) [Erin McKeown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-mckeown/) > [My approach to writing is, it's either going to be a personal story about me and what I've personally been through, or it's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/giveon/my-approach-to-writing-is-it-s-either-going-to-be-a-personal-story/) [Giveon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/giveon/) > [I don't approach my writing or my work from an academic or analytical point of view. I do it for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chath-piersath/i-don-t-approach-my-writing-or-my-work-from-an-academic-or-analytical/) [Chath Piersath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chath-piersath/) > [I think of it as the lasagna approach to writing because I'm always adding layers. I'll sometimes do it layer by layer, with dialogue,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chelsea-cain/i-think-of-it-as-the-lasagna-approach-to-writing-because-i-m-always/) [Chelsea Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chelsea-cain/) > [At the end, I cobbled scenes all together and smoothed out the transitions as much as possible. Incidentally, I would not recommend this approach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-campbell/at-the-end-i-cobbled-scenes-all-together-and-smoothed-out-the/) [Liza Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-campbell/) > [There are two ways to approach the writing of a mystery novel: adhere to the rules, or break them with glee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-weinman/there-are-two-ways-to-approach-the-writing-of-a-mystery-novel-adhere/) [Sarah Weinman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-weinman/) > [When I'm editing my work, I'm looking for everything to fit, to feel seamless, for every detail or line of dialogue or scene to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roxane-gay/when-i-m-editing-my-work-i-m-looking-for-everything-to-fit-to-feel/) [Roxane Gay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roxane-gay/) > [I wanted to be the girl that talks about getting a guy. I felt like that was a different approach to writing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelsea-ballerini/i-wanted-to-be-the-girl-that-talks-about-getting-a-guy-i-felt-like/) [Kelsea Ballerini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelsea-ballerini/) > [I always struggled going against the grain of how pop music should be structured and the seriousness with which people approach writing sessions in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-abrams/i-always-struggled-going-against-the-grain-of-how-pop-music-should-be/) [Gracie Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-abrams/) > [A good book is a good book, and there are a lot of different ways to approach writing or reading one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-barton/a-good-book-is-a-good-book-and-there-are-a-lot-of-different-ways-to/) [Emily Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-barton/) > [I never took a writing class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-pelecanos/i-never-took-a-writing-class/) [George Pelecanos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-pelecanos/) ## More by Homer Hickam > [After marketing surveys by Universal Studios indicated that 'Rocket Boys' as a movie title would not attract the female over-age-thirty demographic, the film was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/after-marketing-surveys-by-universal-studios-indicated-that-rocket/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [As I wrote more I became more critical of myself and I think that you have to be your harshest judge. I don't ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/as-i-wrote-more-i-became-more-critical-of-myself-and-i-think-that-you/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [Writer's block to me is where you stop because you're afraid to go forward because you're not sure of what really should be happening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/writer-s-block-to-me-is-where-you-stop-because-you-re-afraid-to-go/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [The best way to learn to write is to read in the genre you might be interested in; then, you need to actually sit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/the-best-way-to-learn-to-write-is-to-read-in-the-genre-you-might-be/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [NASA's charter is to give Americans the means to get into the wild, black yonder, beyond even the grasp of the federal government that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/nasa-s-charter-is-to-give-americans-the-means-to-get-into-the-wild/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [If politicians want to save money, that's fine. They can look for all the wasteful spending they want, but not where the lives of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/if-politicians-want-to-save-money-that-s-fine-they-can-look-for-all/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [A rocket won't fly unless somebody lights the fuse!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/a-rocket-won-t-fly-unless-somebody-lights-the-fuse/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [My father lost an eye to a snapped cable while trying to rescue trapped miners, though he kept on working for fifteen years afterward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/my-father-lost-an-eye-to-a-snapped-cable-while-trying-to-rescue/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [When I was a boy, one of my favorite places to go was a pine-filled hollow high on the mountain behind our house. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/when-i-was-a-boy-one-of-my-favorite-places-to-go-was-a-pine-filled/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [“The way I see it, if everybody ran from bad things instead of trying to stop them, bad things would be all there is.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/the-way-i-see-it-if-everybody-ran-from-bad-things-instead-of-trying/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [When the moon was first visited in 1969, the astronauts brought back a treasure trove of unique minerals. Contained within specimens was an isotope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/when-the-moon-was-first-visited-in-1969-the-astronauts-brought-back-a/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [You must completely dedicate yourselves to it. To do less will be to let down your country, your state, your parents, your teachers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/you-must-completely-dedicate-yourselves-to-it-to-do-less-will-be-to/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [The key to not getting rejected if you're writing for a magazine, is to know to read that magazine and know everything about them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/the-key-to-not-getting-rejected-if-you-re-writing-for-a-magazine-is/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [Tired of burning fossil fuel and polluting the planet? The moon is covered with helium 3, an isotope from the sun that is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/tired-of-burning-fossil-fuel-and-polluting-the-planet-the-moon-is/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) > [My father use to say if coal died, the country died. He was right. Our economy rests on the back of the coal miner.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/homer-hickam/my-father-use-to-say-if-coal-died-the-country-died-he-was-right-our/) [Homer Hickam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) [Explore all 64 Homer Hickam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/homer-hickam/) ## More Admire quotes > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/) [Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/) [Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/) > [Part of what we admire about a painting or a piece of music is the order which the artist has imposed upon what would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/part-of-what-we-admire-about-a-painting-or-a-piece-of-music-is-the/) [Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/) > [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) > [“The thing I admire most about you is no matter how hard, or how much the world has tried to beat you, break you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-gill/the-thing-i-admire-most-about-you-is-no-matter-how-hard-or-how-much/) [Nikita Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-gill/) Browse all 2,369 Admire quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You've got to be a good reader. 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