I've been thinking recently about whether or not exposure to a variety of music, movies, and books is more of a curse or a blessing. Don't get me wrong, I love all of those things, but I've noticed just how much they influence me. I don't meant to imply that they dictate my actions, or influence them in any real way. But rather than waste time trying to clarify, I'll just get right to it.
For example, when trying to write a story, for example, a novel (something I haven't attempted since middle school) I find myself far too influenced by the numerous books I've read that made a real impression with their style, setting, characters, etc. It's far too easy for me to try an emulate something that I enjoyed so much, in hopes that it's enjoyable for the eventual reader.
The same applies for music. My friends and I have tossed around the idea of forming a band over the past couple years, but it always comes down to "What is band x doing that we're not?" or "Band y does it this way, so we should too." Either that or lack of talent...
Just something to think about.
