The source is a reflective blog post titled "To be a good writer, you must be a good reader," from the website Wanderlust Over 70, authored by Roberta Hill and posted in September 2025. Roberta asserts that writing is a process of self-discovery and that her own writing improved when she shifted from seeking approval to writing for herself.

A central argument of the post is that careful reading sharpens writing skills by teaching rhythm, detail, and empathy, using the analogy of slow travel to illustrate the importance of paying attention to nuance. The post also provides practical tips for improving reading habits to enhance writing, such as reading like a "thief" and annotating margins.