As much as I would like to say it does not matter how cultured one appears in writerly circles, it does. A single literary indiscretion can result in ostracism from the community. I was once present when Dan Brown was violently ejected from a reading for mispronouncing ‘Proust’. I also have it on good authority that Colleen Hoover is banned from the Society of Authors Annual Summer Soirée for mentioning TikTok. But don’t worry – there are a few things you can do to ensure you fit in.
Firstly, as you have suggested, it is essential to appear as well-read as possible. The first thing any writer will ask you is how many books you have read, and if that number is unsatisfactory then you are likely to be shunned. I personally have read over 78,000. How is this possible? I only ever read the first and last line of any book. If the author is a good enough writer, then this will be all you need to gain a sound understanding of the text. It is my belief that time spent reading is time that coul…