I read Middlemarch around second year of my English literature degree, now many years ago, and not only did I love being lost in that world, but decades later some of visual images from the writing remain with me. In terms of your thesis, I think being a voracious reader from early childhood contributed to my fluency as a creative writer, and instinctive feel for rhythm and pace. And yes, my reason for majoring in English Lit (Honours) at uni was because I really wanted to be a Writer… (I was already a writer!)