Reading Quote by T.E. Grau
““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
Advice for aspiring weird writers: immerse yourself in diverse reading, especially the authors you love and their influences, then write authentically and fearlessly.
In simple terms: Read widely, write authentically.
Key Takeaway
Read, then write.
Themes
creativity
inspiration
authenticity
risk-taking
literary lineage
Mood
encouraging
inspirational
Type
advice
motivational
When to use this quote
- a writer seeking a unique voice
- a student of horror fiction
- a hobbyist wanting to experiment
Key Concepts
reading as fuel
influence mapping
genre exploration
Practical Applications
- building a personal reading list
- drafting stories in preferred style
Questions to Reflect On
- How does diverse reading shape your storytelling?
- What does being yourself mean in genre writing?
![“Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and the screenplay of Simon (Beaufoy) and I was reading it, even before the shoot, some kind of sounds came into my mind and I put some stuff [down] and sent it to…” quote by A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/573/a-r-rahman-4481_cutting_since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-o_539.jpg)
