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Yes, Checkov (Pavel, not Anton) once quipped that he had read Shakespeare in the original Russian. I always liked that, as it harked back to the cold-war days where the US and the USSR were always vying for firsts in space and technology. Of course we know that Shakespeare did not write in Russian, he used Klingon. But that’s another story.
The point, since today is about reading, is this: when is the last time you stretched yourself and read something outside of the genre in which you write?
You may be saying something to yourself like, “why should I read the kind of books I don’t write?” And I, surprise, surprise, have an answer for you. More than one, actually.
First: Because you may find a new genre that you like even better than the one you’re currently settled on.
Second: (And perhaps more importantly) in your travels outside of your comfort zone you are liable to learn new tricks, new tips, get new ideas, and grow.
OK, fine. This is a big “so what?” to most of you. I get it. You’re all avid readers and none of you are stuck with a particular genre or narrow field.
I’ll leave you with this idea: your job isn’t just to write. Your job is to write well, and to do that you must continue to grow… and if you know of an easier way than by reading, I’d like to hear about it.
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Getting to the point, by observing people, where you feel that you are perceiving at least something close to their ‘true character’, and even possibly, their ‘true intentions’…….
Thanks, Loreen.