avatarMarjorie J McDonald

Summary

The web content emphasizes the importance of sharp observational and listening skills for writers to enhance their creative writing and storytelling abilities.

Abstract

Great writers are adept at seeing and listening, which are crucial skills for enhancing their writing. Visualization is key to bringing scenes to life; writers are encouraged to observe the world closely, noting the unique details they perceive. By vividly capturing these observations in their writing, they create an immersive experience for the reader. Equally important is the skill of listening. Active listening allows writers to capture the essence of conversations, ideas, and themes, which can be woven into their narratives. The content provides practical advice for improving both visual and auditory skills, suggesting exercises and mindful practices to become more attentive observers and listeners.

Opinions

  • Writers should develop their visualization skills to make their descriptions more impactful and "real" for the reader.
  • Personal experiences and perceptions are vital in giving authenticity to one's writing.
  • Active listening is portrayed as more important than speaking or writing skills for leaders, and by extension, for writers.
  • Writers should focus on the content of conversations, not just the delivery, to extract meaningful insights.
  • Engaging fully in conversations and avoiding distractions can enhance a writer's ability to capture dialogue and ideas effectively.
  • Note-taking is recommended as a method to improve memory and retention of information, which can be beneficial for writers.
  • Emotional control and managing one's triggers are important to maintain objectivity and prevent personal bias from affecting one's writing.
  • The content suggests that regular mental exercise and active listening practice can significantly improve a writer's craft.

WRITING | WRITING TIPS | CREATIVE WRITING

Great Writers have Good Seeing and Listening Skills

Increase your hearing and visualizations skills

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

You are your own best coach in learning to see and hear

Start with increasing your Visualization to help your Writing

You are your own best coach in this because the first thing you have to do is recognize how you see the world around you. By bringing those elements into your visualization, they will become alive and “real” for you.

The more “real” you can make your visualization, the more impact and power it will have.

So, right now, what do you see? What do you feel? What is real to you? And what is unique in the way you are experiencing it.

* If you usually see surface details, notice all the visual and sensory details: the colors, the shine, the feel.

* If you usually see things about your relationships, notice who is on your experience with you, how they interact, and your details in that connection.

* If you usually see how things are connected, notice where your story is taking place, what you are doing there, how you got there, and where you are going next.

* If you normally see concepts and “the big picture,” notice how the details in your story represent YOU and the role that it plays in your journey of self-discovery.

Now, it starts here with what you are going to write down. Just jot down the description of the pictures you see as if you are trying to describe them to someone else in writing instead of verbally. They are your pictures, and the way you explain them is unique to you.

The people who see what you see as they read your words will become your readers. It is just that simple to start writing.

And now, do a series of writing exercises to help you discover your areas of interest in writing and increase your creativity. Visualize a new set of items and continue to write. Rinse and repeat, and soon you will be able to complete your writing projects more quickly.

Great Writers also have Good Listening Skills

Learning to listen better will bring improvement to your writing

If you want to accelerate AND sustain your writing success it is important to “Listen up.”

To be a successful and effective communicator, you’ve GOT to be a highly active listener. As a leader, LISTENING skills are MORE IMPORTANT than your speaking or writing skills… No question.

1. Quiet your mind and make a space for you to listen.

2. Resist the need to be in charge of the conversation.

3. Listen to ideas and central themes. A great listener should be able to mine at least one great view from every conversation.

4. Pay attention only to content, not the delivery. Teach yourself to focus on what a speaker is saying. Keep the message above the manner or method is at the time.

5. be engaged and engaging. Use your skills to keep alert and aware of the conversation, so you do not tune out the speaker.

6. Avoid getting your exercise by jumping to conclusions. It’s easy to assume that you know the rest of a sentence or message after hearing the beginning. Much of the time, we are formulating our come-backs in our minds before someone has completed their full sentence. Get the whole message, and then respond.

7. Take notes if you are in an environment that will allow you to do that. This way, you can stay engaged, and the benefits are it will also enhance your memory, recollection skills, sharpen your reception, understanding, and retention of the information.

8. Concentrate and resist distractions — internal and external things that are going on around you.

9. Summarize the message. You can chunk down the ideas into smaller bits of information to apply to what you could use in your life.

10. Control your emotions. Learn your emotional triggers and be alert. Try not to take what you hear personally unless, of course, it is content that impacts you directly or directed to you personally.

11. Stretch and exercise your mind. I have heard it said that the brain could only take on and comprehend one new thought a day.

12. Be an active listener — practice, practice, practice.

Then take what you hear or have heard and begin to combine it with what you are seeing. See how you can use it to write or improve your writing.

A version of this story first seen on https://creativewritingmadeeasy.com If you have found these tips helpful, you may also like the tips in the stories below.

Image from ArtseeBee from Pixabay
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