Sometimes I pick up a book and I say: Well, so you've written it first, have you? Good for you. O.K., then I won't have to write it.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Lessing humorously notes that reading a book on a topic can relieve the pressure to write one herself.
- In plain terms
- She avoids writing a book if someone else has already written it.
- What can you take from it?
- Reading existing work can reduce the need to create original work on the same topic.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When should you write versus read?
- How do existing works affect your creativity?
Another view
This approach might limit original contributions or unique perspectives.
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