This is me; what about you?

"I have a writing question for you: When you write, do you read other books? When you're not writing, do you prefer fiction or nonfiction? If fiction, what kind, what author, etc.?"

Technically, that was four questions, not including the etc.

They came from a friend who read The Unlived Lives of Raymond Quinn. I haven't responded yet, but I will, and when I do, I'll use what you see below.

"When you write, do you read other books?" I read every weeknight from 6:30 to 8:30, at which time I put aside my tablet (all my recreational reading is on my tablet) to allow my eyes/brain to adjust. If I don't do that, I don't sleep. (I know, turn on the blue light filter. I did, it doesn't work for me.) I do read other books when I'm writing, mainly because these days, I'm always writing, editing, and doing things related to my unexpected writing career.

So, do I read books when I'm writing or when I'm not? Yes!

"When you're not writing, do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?" The latter. Early in my recreational reading career, some 50+ years ago, I did read both. In terms of fiction: Hemingway, Steinbeck, Vonnegut, Michener, Crichton, and a few others. I didn't pick them knowing I would like what they wrote. I picked them because I knew they were famous writers. I didn't like all of it, but I always finished what I started. I also read nonfiction and became an avid NF enthusiast, having read Norman Mailer's The Executioner's Song. An incredible story, because of an even more incredible Pulitzer Prize-winning writing job. I've almost exclusively read nonfiction ever since.

"If fiction, what kind, what author, etc.?" I'll assume this was answered in the above question. In its place, I'll answer a question not asked, below.

"Since you no longer read fiction, why did you attempt to write it?" I still read some, but not much. There is an unlimited number of actual events involving real people whose stories are extraordinary. The trick is finding those written by extremely talented authors. When I do, for me, most fiction pales in comparison, and I'm in I-can't-put-this-down city. 

That's me; read whatever appeals to you, you'll be a better person having done so.