|
I have read most of Stephen King's works. I enjoyed them, and so I read mostly them for quite a while. But when I started writing seriously I found I was trying to write like King. Not intentionally - but when I went back to re-read, I saw impressions from him, and since it didn't work as well in my writing, I realized I needed to expand. So now I limit myself to at most 1 book by any 1 author in any 1 year.
It was a much tougher limitation when I was reading 100 books a year, now I'm about 15 - 20 so it's not hard to keep within my limit.
And I think my writing has improved too!
As for literature that you just can't stand, I was able to get through about 200pp of War and Peace, but gave up. I also gave up on Sophie's Choice. Most everything else I've started I've been able to finish.
|