Words of wisdom

I think the following can be applied to music as well as literature:

“If you only read the great writers, you’ll be in trouble,” [Albee] said. “Read junk. It’s enormously encouraging to tell yourself, ‘I can do better than that.’ ”

--Edward Albee

from 'Virtue Is Not Its Own Reward' and Other Lessons for a Life in Art
By KATHRYN SHATTUCK
The New York Times
Published: April 24, 2007