Stephen King once said something like: ‘if you are not a great reader, you will find writing difficult.’ This makes a lot of sense; I concur with the master of all matters creepy.

When working against a deadline that remains months out, budgeting time every few days to read pages of a published work in a different genre can be very constructive. Just seeing the words in print of another is a validation of sorts for a project, because it proves in a material way what very few ever say to a writer, tons of books are published all the time, and that writing a book that sees daylight is possible. Hey! Look they did it too.

Reading is also a reminder that novels vary in quality and sensibility. There’s the great, the good, the mediocre and the one where the author quit. Most books are at least good with a touch of filler and a moment of brilliance. A genuine masterpiece is rare and is the goal of very few writers. For every The Dive from Clausen’s Pier, there is Blood Canticle.

Ultimately, I won’t serve as the judge and jury of my books. That will be a critic’s job. So effort spent comparing my stories to another writer is a waste of effort. They have their act, I have mine. The fact that I’ll get compared at all means I hit the primary goal to sell my words.

Side point – that new Coldplay hit about birds flying at the speed of sound is great, even if I can only make out parts of the chorus.