I started writing when dreaming about the stories I wanted to read was no longer enough. I never thought I could- I was a terrible essayist in school- but even though my very nature seems adverse to persistence of any kind, I couldn't give up writing and found, one day, that I really could write!
I have realised that somehow I avoid reading books that can wring my heart or have a tragic\too noble ending. I am trying to remedy this.
Like most writers I have also got a somewhat limited pallet. Where once I could read just about any book you could hand me, now-a-days I seem to be reading only the ones that are easy, entertaining and usually not worth reading more than once. I say 'like most writers' because you'll find that they usually read books that reflect their own styles, or have forms they would like to emulate.
To correct this fault in me I have begun reading as many classic novels- ones that I had once hoped to read but later thought too dreary- as I can find!