I love to take a break from the kinds of books I write...and read something else. Anything else. Right now, I'm reading MYTH Inc, In Action, one of my favorite books of all time. So funny. Told form the POV of one of Skeeve's bodyguards. I think I was fourteen and in love with this guy, when I first read it. So funny. I even took it to the waterpark with us a couple days ago, so I could read in the hot tub and while the kids were in the wave pool with Daddy. If you're struggling with getting your writing done, it can FEEL counterintuitive to spend time reading, but for me, I find that reading allows me to focus on something enjoyable, while my brain is still hammering away at the unidentifiable lump of metal that is my story stuck-ness. Reading can give your taxed brain a bit of recuperation, and it can help you get some ideas, however small. Maybe it's a bit of dialogue you think is funny. Or a method of showing how a character deals with a problem.
I wouldn't be so concerned with copying things, because inspiration can come in many forms, and while I'd be concerned if I started writing my character with the dialogue habits of a magician's bodyguard, I've never had that happen. HA! I have, however, pulled scene structuring pointers from books I've loved, and by the time I was done writing my scene that I couldn't work out, I felt it was SO similar to the one I pulled inspiration from, but I know in my heart no one would ever see the similarities.
So yes, read. Read whenever you need a break from writing, and maybe one day a week just for fun.
I wouldn't be so concerned with copying things, because inspiration can come in many forms, and while I'd be concerned if I started writing my character with the dialogue habits of a magician's bodyguard, I've never had that happen. HA! I have, however, pulled scene structuring pointers from books I've loved, and by the time I was done writing my scene that I couldn't work out, I felt it was SO similar to the one I pulled inspiration from, but I know in my heart no one would ever see the similarities.
So yes, read. Read whenever you need a break from writing, and maybe one day a week just for fun.