Why Great Writers Listen First
By DiAnn Mills Perfecting listening skills teaches the writer how to effectively communicate. A concentrated effort to perfect listening demonstrates a professional writer who is serious about their craft. The writing professional hears what is said, how it’s said, and expands their vocabulary. The art of listening defines culture, shows education, mirrors intellect, and promotes the value and purpose of silence. Perspective is another area where listening skills grow stronger. By observing others who hold unique and varied viewpoints, our understanding of the world widens. We pay attention. We process. We analyze. Then we transfer what we’ve learned to our written work—whether fiction or nonfiction—often through a lens different from our own. Listening is learning and learning shapes us into better writers. Empathy is a writer’s ally, and listening lays the foundation for understanding and portraying credible emotion. When we listen well, we can...
