Why a Writer Must Read

I've been a reading fiend lately, devouring at least two books a week. I've always been an avid reader, but when faced with writer's block, my reading becomes a priority and soon enough, I have my very own story to tell, sometimes inspired by what I read, and sometimes inspired by only the mindless, ficticious dreamland I'm constantly in while reading. It doesn't always happen this way. But lately, with real, actual, adult writing assignments due, it helps to get lost in another story for awhile. Sometimes, our minds need a break from creating. Sometimes, our minds need that empty space to fill with words, sentences, and plots of others' creations, in order to move forward in our own endeavors.