A lesson of reading

I’ve been a writer for quite a long time now, but there were a few things about me then that would simply astonish you. It might be a fact known to all, that writers are always avid readers, but it was otherwise for me. I could keep writing content for hours without getting tired or bored, but I had some sort of disinterest towards reading books. My friends, family all insisted upon reading books too, but was I going to listen so easily?

I had been following several writers, but there wasn’t even one single moment where I went through their works. I had heated debates with others one the advantages and importance of reading, and this time it was my grandfather on the other end. All was going well, and I was set to win yet another argument, until my grandfather made an interesting point. He claimed that if I wasn’t going to read books by others, why would anyone even be interested in reading mine! When I look back at those days, it’s disappointing that I just didn’t read other people’s works, but I never even went through my works either.

Those words by my grandfather were touching, and for the sake of ‘reading’ I started off with the Harry Potter series. There was a huge difference in what kind of person I was before and after reading those books. For a person having zero interest in reading, it was a huge achievement to finish seven books. I became an avid-reader, my vocabulary improved and my style of writing went a step up. Those words by grandfather were unforgettable, and there might be other moments like this, but this one will always have a special spot and will fondly be remembered. This lesson of ‘reading’ made me understand how to do what I preach, and as a writer reading is a responsibility, which I would hope to carry on ahead.