About this quote

Many people get more comfort from other people's words than from making their own. Notice whether your reading is appreciation or avoidance. Try one small habit that forces output — ten minutes of freewriting or a single rough paragraph after each reading session. Keep reading; use it as practice, not just escape, and you may find the courage to make something yourself.

When to use it

• During thesis week, when I'm re-reading literature instead of drafting, I shrug and joke, "I'm too fond of reading books to care to write them."
• At the agency meeting when they ask who will draft the campaign copy, I half-seriously say, "I'm too fond of reading books to care to write them."
• After reading every night to the kids and never starting my children's story, I laugh to my partner, "I'm too fond of reading books to care to write them."
• When a friend suggests we write a business plan and I keep researching instead, I admit, "I'm too fond of reading books to care to write them."