I’ve been reading a lot of books on “how to write” lately.
Books about publishing, editing, outlining – you name it. I enjoy reading other
writer’s processes, I really do.
Last week I spent time with my family and an old friend.
They were both crazy in different ways and I’m talking – certifiably insane, or at least my old friend L is. I kept thinking “this is a good character study”
in order to make it through the week. On some level I’m sure that’s the truth
but on the level of protecting my own
sanity it was the excuse I came up with in order to participate in the hell
that was their lives.
I found myself approaching listening in a new and different
way. I began to really listen, to absorb not judge and not have to insert my
experiences. I listened to get ideas for characters, plots and scenes. Instead
of thinking “this person is crazy” or “when will they get to the point?” I
listened to hear, wanting to file it all away for future writing projects or
now as I decided to name it “listening with my writer’s ears on”.
After a particularly juicy tidbit was revealed to me (by a
stranger, a friend, family) I wanted to go home and take notes. I wasn’t sure
how I would index those notes so thus far I’ve only tried to remember but I can
see that note taking would be advantageous. Perhaps in one word (or more likely
evernote) file titled “notes while listening with my writer’s ears on”. Then
when I need some inspiration for a character or a plot I can look there. It
helps to get me through the mundane, crazy and non-engaging moments of life.
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