Don't read short fiction while writing a short story. Alexander also believes that writing conferences are powerful venues for a writer. Conferences allow people who value what others are doing to have some very powerful moments together. Writers are generally not valued. It's like you're cheating.
Nobody believes that staying home all day or writing a story is working.
It's important to share your work with people you trust. Technique depends on a writer's intent. Different forms of writing require different approaches. Sometimes a writer's technique is simply dictated by what happens.