I’ve been reading a book about Dr Seuss.

It seems like a more than worthwhile thing to do, given how Dr Seuss is one of my major inspirations for not just wanting to be a writer, but for also helping to define the kinds of stories I wanted to write.

It seems that this days, the most important thing in the world is to be excited. To be energised and enthralled. To be switched on every moment of the day.

Every form of entertainment seems designed to press all our buttons at once. Movies are full of adrenaline-inducing thrills. TV shows push the dramatic envelope in every way possible. And music seems to be all about maximising the emotion of every moment.

The image of the well is quite an engaging one. Makes you think of shepherds coming in from the desert to feed their flocks, or humble peasants lining up with buckets.

Back in those times, a well would have felt like the most important place in the world – the primary source of health and well-being. Without the water sourced from its depths, there would be no community, no life. And lowering that bucket must have sometimes felt like a bit of a gamble. What would be drawn out? Would it be crisp, clear, life-giving water, or dank and dirty mud? Or would the well be dry, with no water left to draw?

I recently read a couple of books.

I know, this shouldn’t be a particularly unexpected occurrence. We all know that reading is one of the major activities all writers should engage in. It’s at the top of pretty much all those ‘what you need to do to be a successful writer’ lists put out by a bunch of famous writers, as well as not-so-famous writers who hope one day to be famous writers.

Well it’s not a particularly original sentiment – it’s one that numerous others have already expressed. But this is my blog where I get to say what I want, regardless of how many times it’s already been said. So here it is. I’m going to say it.

Hooray! It’s no longer 2020. 2021 is here at last.