Helen Chambers, affiliate of The Writers Company talks about how listening will help your writing.
Brought up on ‘Listen with Mother’ and in a reading household, I have always been read to, at home and school - and thus have fond memories of many childhood stories absorbed by listening.
Later, as a primary teacher, I experienced frequently the power of the spoken word on children - and was always impressed that they remembered thread and detail from one week to the next (especially if I left character in a ‘cliff-hanger’ situation!). I’ve always loved listening to short stories and drama on the radio and BBC Sounds - the version of iPlayer specifically for radio, is a personal goldmine.
An old favourite for listening is Under Milk Wood - poetry is best read aloud, (especially when it’s Richard Burton reading!). My ancient audio tape is battered but still works. Of course, there exist now many and varied audio streaming platforms - take your pick.
The Great Gatsby is a book I have read and enjoyed repeatedly, and even taught. Listening, I was stunned at how many tiny (previously unnoticed) details there were in the language, and I loved the scenes playing out in my imagination (radio is, after all, the theatre of the mind).
It’s slow reading. I’m a speedy reader, always have been, and often reread passages and sometimes revisit entire books at a slower and more appreciative pace. Even when I start slowly, I know I’m apt to accelerate as I become immersed.
Listening drives you at the correct speed. Given everything I know about editing, choosing each word with care and precision, I understand how listening helps me appreciate the writer’s language choices. Quality over quantity. I won’t stop reading books at my own speed - but I also recommend listening. Hardy’s Women was another recent success. Perhaps listening is the best way to approach the classics?
Do you have recommendations?
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