I don't read especially *widely* now, at least in poetry; I tend to
find something I like a lot, and burrow into it. I don't often bother
reading poets I don't like a lot, unless it's to try to find out what
it is about them that other people like.
But reading more widely, earlier on, can certainly help; otherwise you
get stuck on one style, one template, and imitate that the whole time.
I was stuck on Larkin for ages, like some people get stuck on Plath.
When that happens to someone, you certainly want to club them with a
good anthology.
Dominic
|