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I’m remembering this writing advice from a book of quotes about writing by Ernest Hemingway:

Ordinarily I never read anything before I write in the morning to try to bite on the old nail with no help and no influence and no one giving you a wonderful example or sitting looking over your shoulder.

- from Ernest Hemingway on Writing

I was surprised to learned that Hemingway who had such a distinctive and strong voice felt he needed to avoid other voices in order to record his own.

I heard today that one of my nephews, although an avid reader, did not pass the 3rd grade reading test. He has always had a unique view of the world. He failed the test because he thinks about the questions differently from the authors of the test.

I hope he and others continue to value his unique perspective.

I recently read this writing by the poet Rilke, which seems relevant:

Every historical period is filled with a burning desire for the great individuals who are different: for they have always brought with them the future. Yet when individuality surfaces in a child it is treated disdainfully or disparagingly or possibly–which is most painful for the child–with derision. They are treated as if they had nothing that was unique to them, and the deep riches out of which they live are devalued to offer them commonplaces instead.

from The Poet’s Guide to Life: The Wisdom of Rilke, p. 71