"作家の時間のほとんどは、書くために読むことに費やされる。一冊の本を作るために、男は図書館の半分をひっくり返すだろう。"

The essence of this quote is that a significant chunk of a writer’s time is devoted to reading to fuel their writing. Imagine a writer sifting through countless books and articles, seeking inspiration and knowledge to craft just one piece of work. The idea here is that writing isn't a solitary act—it's built on the foundation of extensive reading and research.

To put this into some historical perspective, this idea isn’t new. Think back to famous writers like Shakespeare or Mark Twain. They didn’t just wake up one day and pen down masterpieces. They absorbed the world around them, read extensively, and learned from other writers. This process—this relentless pursuit of knowledge through reading—helped shape their own unique voices.

Let’s bring this to life with a real-world example. Take J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. Before she even started writing about the boy who lived, she read and researched a lot about mythology, history, and folklore. You can see traces of this deep research in the details of her magical world—from the creatures to the spells, everything has a bit of real-world history or mythological influence. Without all that reading, the rich, immersive world of Harry Potter might not have existed.

So, how can you apply this wisdom if you’re looking to write? Start by reading broadly. Don’t limit yourself to just one genre or type of book. Read fiction, non-fiction, poetry, essays—everything. The more you read, the more you’ll understand different writing styles, perspectives, and ideas. It’s like filling up your creative reservoir. When it’s time to write, you’ll have a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to draw from.

Imagine this scenario: you’re at a coffee shop, trying to write your first novel. You’ve got a rough idea, some characters, maybe even a plot outline. But the words just aren’t flowing. You’re stuck. Instead of staring blankly at your screen, you pick up a book. Maybe it’s a sci-fi novel, or a historical biography, or a collection of short stories. As you read, you notice things—the way the author builds suspense, the vivid descriptions, the clever dialogue. You start to get ideas. Maybe you tweak a character, add a plot twist, or just find the motivation to keep going. Reading has sparked something in you, and now you’re back to writing with renewed energy and inspiration.

In a nutshell, the path to becoming a great writer is paved with the books you read along the way. So don't hesitate to dive into a good book—not just for enjoyment, but as part of your journey as a writer. Keep turning those pages, and one day you’ll find that they’ve helped you write your own story.