Actually, let me backpedal a bit. I don't think literature is crap. SOME literature is crap. But if all of it was, we wouldn't have a standard of quality to jud

Actually, let me backpedal a bit. I don't think literature is crap. SOME literature is crap. But if all of it was, we wouldn't have a standard of quality to judge by, would we? Literature can be wonderful, and reading good stuff can help you write better, too. But different styles of writing serve different purposes. I love Billy Collins' poetry, but it doesn't help me write good business-related emails. Neither does journalism help much when writing a love song.