Zafar argues that the greatest influence on a writer may be on her psychic dispositions as a writer. Reading Philip Roth, writes Zafar, might clear the way of inhibitions that held you back from writing about reckless desire, the temptations of power, and the immanence of rage, or reading Naipaul might convince you to seize the ego that so wants to be loved, drag it outside, put it up against a wall, and shoot it.
Zafar asserts that a writer's psychological state is often shaped by the influences of other writers. Through reading authors like Philip Roth, one may find the courage to explore complex themes such as desire, power, and anger that previously felt too daunting. This exploration can lead to a deeper understanding of one's own motivations and emotions.
Conversely, engaging with the work of writers like Naipaul can push a writer to confront their own ego, urging them to dismantle the parts of themselves that crave validation. This transformative reading experience can provoke a significant change in how a writer approaches their craft and personal expression.
