Do you write and read at the same time?

[Blueberr8]

So there might be authors who read and write at the same time for better improvements and grow that way, but for me, I don't read while writing at the same time because sometimes you might "subconsciously" copy an idea of the book you read without even noticing it and it might result to plagiarism. Instead, I sit and research for hours and hours to improve my literature.

How about y'all?

[milejdyvan]

I'm not really worried about copying since I already have my story pretty well set in my mind and don't plan to change much other than minor details ^^ I would say reading for mé is pretty important since it inspires me to write more.. Not copy. Just seeing something else finished makes me wanna finish mine kinda deal.

[Puck]

I copy everything, storyboards, basic story ideas, characters. I take existing comics and use them as a blueprint for my comic ideas and create
something new out of it

[LostSpirit]

I read. I read to enjoy how writers manage their highs and lows in an arc and work towards a conclusion, the good parts. I read and sometimes feel like, "Shiiiit. Can I do something like this but better?"

A few stories could have parallel similarities, but enjoy distinction in the details. For example, I might have kings and queens in a story, and there could be betrayals in that story. This is common. But the underlying tension and theme, as long as that's original, I think that's what makes the story differently beautiful.You look hard enough and you might find similarities in certain stories (of a similar genre) even if the authors may have never read the other's work. We draw inspiration from everything, and even research is something you remix as inspiration to put into words.

Just my opinion though!

[jensrichard77]

Instead, I sit and research for hours and hours to improve my literature.

Depending on what you call research??
Reading other stuff is also research. What works? what do I like? what seems to be in readers favor of a character? What reference did the author use?
What kind of writing techniques made me hooked on this story???

[gmaximin]

Even when I have some kind of creative enlightenment, it would take me at least several days to finish any projects; but then I’m reading everyday (pleasure, work, curiosity...). So it would be really hard for me not to write and read at the same time.
As for the influence on my creations, of course there will be, and hopefully for the best. But there’s a huge difference between influence and plagiarism...
I take influences as a stream of clear water; it helps to freshen up my creative swamp and bring new nutrients.

[AnimeKitty]

There's a fine line between writing something that got you inspired from another story and plagiarism. I'll read and write within the same hour sometimes just cuz I need a writing break. I've got the majority of my series down at this point, especially the main plots and characters. I could really only see this as an issue if maybe the story was brand new and unplanned. But that's just me. Haha. Everyone has different methods to writing and reading.

[mlocik97]

I read everyday, doesn't matter if I'm writing, programming, listening to music, or just laying like lazy shit... it doesn't affect my story, because I created it already in my head a few years ago,...

[domisotto]

I always read and write together. I experience a strong desire to write when I read something that is exquisitely written and it also gives me joy to comment on other people’s work and let them know someone is reading their story. I need that positivity to keep on writing.

I have no fear whatsoever about influence—musicians riff off each other, so do writers, and plagiarism is different. Plagiarism is when you consciously copy a work word for word to pass for your own.

There is no writing in vacuum. You will always be influenced, and you always be using tropes.

[B.F]

I know what you mean! I think you should do whatever work best for you as individual writer Some people are more prone to absorb and "spit out again" what they see by accident. I agree with @domisotto that is not plagiarism per say. Still, if you feel more comfterble not reading other's work that's fine. Sometimes I don't read other people because I just get distracted and don't write at all hehe

[rajillustration]

It takes so long to write vs reading, that I don't think there's too much of a worry that you'll copy unintentionally. It takes like...a week or something to read a book? Vs months and months to write one? Do what you want, of course, but I wouldn't be too concerned about that.