"I found some time ago that I have to be careful, while working on a novel, what I read"

In this quote, author John Sladek assesses his experience as an author and the significance of bearing in mind what he checks out while working on a book. He acknowledges that reading can have a considerable influence on his writing procedure and the direction of his work. Therefore, he highlights the need for care in selecting what to read, as it can influence his thoughts and ideas. This quote highlights the delicate balance in between being inspired by other works and being too greatly influenced by them. It works as a pointer for writers to be deliberate and selective in their reading choices to preserve their special voice and vision in their writing.