Goodreads asked Sally Franson:

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Sally Franson This one's easy: I read! Nothing gets me more excited to write than devouring a wonderful book. Sometimes I'll trust reviewers in the NYT, NY Mag, the Read Like the Wind newsletter, or other online media for recs, but I find I get the most inspiration from books my friends recommend. That's how I fell in love with now-favorite authors like Armistead Maupin, Stephen McCauley, Anne Tyler, and others. Friends not only get me: they get my tastes! Sometimes it seems like writing is the only way to combat writers' block, but sometimes not being able to write comes as a result of the tank being empty, or the field being fallow (choose your metaphor). The answer isn't to try to work more, or 'hack' that fallow feeling, but nourish it instead with other people's beautiful work. There's nothing better than the feeling of refreshment that I get after reading: like I can face the world, and my work, again.

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