"If you want to be a writer...."

"If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read alot and write a lot." Stephen King On Writing.

That sentence smacked me across the face. I know what he said is true. Of course it is. Well, Jenna, if you know it's true, why aren't you doing it?....I have no idea.
I realized rather quickly that I am ignorant, at least in a literary sense. When I could have been reading 1984 or The Grapes of Wrath, I was busy scouring the library for the teen novels, ones I didn't have to think through and were fun. I regret it big-time. Being a senior in college, about to graduate with a Creative Writing degree, I have realized how little I have read. I mean, I have read ALOT. Just not read the right kinds. I am a lazy reader and don't want to do the work. But college has put me in an interesting spot.
I can't look at non-literature books without feeling guilty. I know I am supposed to read them. I shouldn't be reading Harry Potter, I should be trying to expand my understanding by reading The Scarlet Letter. I always desire to read classics, I just never do. And I get frustrated with myself! I claim I don't have time to read (which is partially true. There is little room for pleasure reading when you take Literature Survey classes.) But I still need to prioritize reading if I ever want to learn.
I hope it isn't bad to start reading important literature now. I might be a little burnt out by the time I hit summer, but I have to believe that I will still love books after being forced to read after 15 years of school. Cross your fingers!