A Portuguese professor of mine here in college told me that last year, and since, I've thought that while writing stories might be something that I find fun, I have no interest in books ("real" paperback Western novels, for example). I can gobble Visual Novels or Light Novels (did it just once though) if I am really enjoying it, but reading an actual book is something I only do when I am forced to do it for college courses.
Anyway, I am not doubting my professor's advice, although I must ask: Does not reading too much cause a person to reuse much of what they've read, thus causing their work to be a mix of cliches?
Is it just by reading books that one can improve his/her writing? Is reading a VN, a LN, the story and dialogue in a videogame/anime/films a good source of knowledge as well?
I would now say what I think. However, I am completely lost on these matters. A friend of mine says reading a book and enjoying the story in other mediums is different because books make you imagine the characters and world by yourself, whilst in other mediums, it's already there for you, someone has transplanted their vision of things and you accept it without working your mind. I disagree.
What are your opinions on the matter(s)?