Some stories I just sit down and write. However, if I don't have a structure or an outline, the characters either get completely out of control, or the words kind of peter out after a while. So for anything past a couple thousand words, I do a bit of planning.

Yes, I read five books in two days. Unless I deliberately slow myself to appreciate a writer's phrasing, or to be absolutely certain I'm not missing any nuances, I read fast -- which is as much a curse as a gift, because the books are done so soon, and then I have nothing left to read! (I think this is because I read for story first, and only secondarily for literary appreciation. It's kind of funny, since I can get very picky about little literary touches and symbols in my own writing... but even then, the story comes first. Some people are storytellers because they write. I write because I am a storyteller. Different emphasis, see?)