I’m always amazed by the number of would-be writers who say that they never read other people’s work. Apparently, they don’t have time!

I don’t believe you can be a writer if you don’t read…anything and everything, omnivorously. It doesn’t matter whether it’s pulp or classical literature; fiction or non-fiction; Internet or paper based. If you don’t read other people’s work you’re not giving yourself the tools you need to write.

The best way of getting inspiration and improving your style is to see how various other people use words. You can then start playing with and manipulating your own writing and you’ll soon start to sense an improvement. OK, lecture over. It’s probably time to climb down off my hobby horse!

But if you want to read what others have written – and have the opportunity to win yourself a prize at the same time, visit the Telegraph. They’re running a weekly travel writing competition for articles up to 500 words. The prize is £200 in foreign currency of your choice. But have a good look at previous winners before you submit.

Finally, if you need help finding markets for your work, check out the new Freelance Market News website. The Editor, Angel Cox, has added some useful resources, including literary festivals, competitions and sites for writers. And a big plus is that as a subscriber you’re eligible for a free appraisal of your work – poetry or prose.

Let me know your views on the reading/writing debate, and until next week…