Workout

I stole their voices, their stories, their craft.

Reading while writing was an awful distraction for many years.

It filled me up.

I felt like a copycat.

I was anything but original and originals are required. Story, craft. You have both? You have award-winning best-sellers.

So I avoided it. Reading, I mean. But I could never stay away for too long.

So I started small. Strengthening my writing muscles. Keeping the story simple so I can perfect the craft.

Slow. Very slow.

But at some point 100 pages into writing for three winters, it all changed.

I wouldn't steal anymore: I played around.

I felt empty to create while full of inspiration.

I added complexity and it worked.

There were layers.

I kept going, writing while reading.

Learning from all, reading while writing.

My craft finally firm. My voices mine.

I'm firm. I'm mine. I'm ready.

I'm free to read while writing.