I’m writing a talk for next weekend right now. I did a first draft yesterday and it hit all the talking points I wanted to cover.

But it felt a little flat for some reason. Something was missing.

So I left it and went and read, something completely unrelated. The book I picked up off my bookshelf was raw, full of emotion in the words, and fired me up.

Then I sat down again this morning and reworked my draft, feeling less fear about putting more of myself into it. I think it’s improving.

When I want to write something I’m pleased with, the starting point, even if I don’t realise it at the time, is reading someone else’s words.