T.R. Napper: Reading is the golden rule for better writing

Author T.R. Napper has published an article positing that extensive reading is the singular "golden rule" for aspiring writers. Napper contends that those who do not read widely "shouldn't be writing in the first place," identifying a worrying trend among writers who claim to be too busy to engage with literature. He argues that reading is not merely a leisure activity but a fundamental requirement for mastering the craft, building stamina, and maintaining the specific cognitive structures necessary for creative work.

The piece highlights the detrimental impact of digital addiction on the creative process. Napper references Maryanne Wolf’s book *Reader, Come Home: The Reading Brain in a Digital World* to illustrate how screen time rewires neural pathways. He describes the resulting "digital brain" as anathema to the "reading brain," which relies on sustained concentration, vivid imagination, and critical thinking skills. According to Napper, the ability to immerse oneself in a book is increasingly lost as individuals rewire their attention spans to accommodate the rapid pace of social media and algorithmic feeds.

Napper sets a personal benchmark of reading 52 books a year, while acknowledging that some authors read significantly more. He suggests that 20 books annually is the "bare minimum" for those in the profession. The author contrasts this dedication with the behaviour of aspiring writers who often cite screen time as a barrier to reading. He notes that while he works full-time and manages other commitments, he finds time to read every night, arguing that if one is serious about writing, the time exists.

The article also addresses the role of Generative AI in the literary landscape. Napper posits that the technology allows individuals who do not enjoy reading to generate books, potentially diluting the quality of literature. He compares these writers to the character Raymond from the television show *Everyone Loves Raymond*, who had no interest in literature yet was asked to write the great American novel. For Napper, the capacity to create without a deep love for the form represents a fundamental misunderstanding of the artistic process.

To illustrate the importance of deep engagement with a medium, Napper draws parallels between literature and cinema. He cites film directors such as Christopher Nolan, Quentin Tarantino, and Martin Scorsese as examples of creators whose encyclopaedic knowledge of their respective fields has informed their vision. Similarly, he argues that writers like Virginia Woolf and Nabokov were extraordinarily well-read, with their passion for the written word infusing their entire creative existence.

Napper concludes that reading serves as the fitness regime for writing, building the creative muscles and stamina required to sustain the marathon of authorship. He suggests that even those addicted to digital devices can recover their "reading brain" with a few weeks of dedicated, phone-free reading. The article serves as a reminder that while there is no single blueprint for becoming a writer, the habit of reading widely remains the most consistent factor among successful authors.