# Are extremely well read prolific quoters and meticulous astute citers sacrificing their unique indiv **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 30, 2010, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-extremely-well-read-prolific-quoters-and-meticulous-astute-citers-sacrificing-their-unique-indiv/562386 "2010-11-30T06:56:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-extremely-well-read-prolific-quoters-and-meticulous-astute-citers-sacrificing-their-unique-indiv/562386/21 "2010-12-02T03:26:52Z")
> [@Namaste\_Che](#): > > I noticed in myself at around age 9-10 as I read perhaps my 5th decent novel that my own writing style was affected by my recent reading in much the same way my accent and vernacular would shift when traveling to new places for extended periods like summer vacations. Likewise as I delved in to science my own theories would become less fanciful and more confined within the knowledge (at that age I took as absolute fact) that was absorbing in to my brain. So much so that for a long period I abstained from reading to allow a _less tainted_ exploration of my own creativity and to this day still refuse to read anything I even slightly determine to be _junk_ i.e. all but scientific magazines and all newspapers, holding to a theory that anything of real importance contained within these _rags_ I could gradually extract through conversation with people who _had_ read them as people usually only pass on the **good** stuff and then I could research only those topics further myself. Thus preventing unnecessary dilution of my _self_. If your ultimate goal is to never write anything that any other person would want to read, you’re on the right track. If that’s not your goal, get out there and start reading everything you can get your hands on. Writing is a craft, and like all crafts, you will not be able to learn how to do it on your own. You need to observe the work of those more skilled than yourself to understand how to do it well. Avoiding other writers will not help you cultivate your own voice. Rather, it will strangle it. If you want to express yourself as fully and truly as possible, study how others have done the same, and learn from them what works, and what does not, and employ that knowledge in your own writing. Incidentally, science works in much the same fashion. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-extremely-well-read-prolific-quoters-and-meticulous-astute-citers-sacrificing-their-unique-indiv/562386/22 "2010-12-02T04:01:54Z")
I’ve read maniacally for the past 50 years. I read everything. All fields, all disciplines, all states of brow from high to low. It wasn’t until 30 or 40 years had passed that I realized that I had finally assimilated enough to start making original connections. It didn’t affect my writing style. I’m a good enough writer to be a professional, also in a number of fields. I can write in any style, from high to low, but I don’t sound like anyone else. You don’t say how old you are. My guess is that you’re still a student, someone too young to really be expected to have an individual and developed style and body of knowledge of your own. I’m glad you’re over whatever quirk made you refrain from reading. That was a bad mistake. I’m glad you’ve corrected it. Just as a recommendation, however, if you want something to improve your style, try [this](http://www.nationalartcraft.com/images/sub-1522-02.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![Implicit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Implicit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Implicit)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-extremely-well-read-prolific-quoters-and-meticulous-astute-citers-sacrificing-their-unique-indiv/562386/23 "2010-12-02T04:07:55Z")
> [@Namaste\_Che](#): > > Or another way to approach the question: How has your experience with reading affected your creativity & style? It provides me a larger pool of styles to draw from. Playing with other’s ideas is a way to stretch myself. ---
**Author:** ![Namaste\_Che](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Namaste\_Che](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Namaste_Che)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2010, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-extremely-well-read-prolific-quoters-and-meticulous-astute-citers-sacrificing-their-unique-indiv/562386/24 "2010-12-02T13:45:33Z")
Thank you all! Great responses. I’m short on time presently I do plan to respond to all the questions I just popped in for a glance before sleep and couldn’t stop, quite amazed and realized I had no expectation for responses. Just quickly off my head: I’m 32, I go through obsessive phases of reading and likewise abstinence, have always desired to read the classics but only recently made the effort. And yes I do have a moderate superiority complex, and yes I know it’s unfounded. Seriously thanks to all, will say more next time (note to self: post thread requesting recommended reading list - please not here) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-extremely-well-read-prolific-quoters-and-meticulous-astute-citers-sacrificing-their-unique-indiv/562386.md?page=1)