Books let us into their souls and lay open to us the secrets of our own.
–William Hazlitt–
In The Creative Habit Twyla Tharp suggests to pull the plug on reading for a week. This is supposed to be a prompt aimed at stimulating your creative output but I must tell that every time I think of it I break into a cold sweat. I could stop writing completely for a week (although... it would take some doing), but stop reading? Is she kidding? She may as well ask me to stop eating or brushing my teeth. I find those suggestions just as unfathomable and revolting to heed. But maybe you're a braver person than I am and would quite happily take a punt on that one. My version of this exercise on restraint is going to take place over Crimbo when I shall not write on here until after the Epiphany. I'm already feeling odd and worried about it, as if I were backstabbing myself (I'd love to see myself try actually), but I really do think it is a necessary step in order to focus on unfinished writing projects and this. But back to you, can you try what Twyla suggests?
Don't read anything for a week, then write about it.
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