Carrie Ann Golden

The Power of Spoken Words

I have a confession that I need to make:

I haven’t read a book in well over a year.

Am I proud of this fact?

Heck no!

Do I have a valid excuse for this?

Perhaps.

How can a writer be a true “writer” without reading books?

Probably still a writer, but not a very good one.

What I have been doing is reading lots of online magazine/news articles, and blog posts.

Would these count as productive reading?

I believe so; especially if one of my goals is to be a citizen journalist.  Oh, and a blogger as well.

But…

I still consider myself a short-story writer, and a poet.  I also desire to complete a novel. Here’s where I run into difficulties.  With my waning vision, it’s a growing challenge to read books.  For some reason, I don’t have as much problem reading online than I do on paper.  It’s the lack of the right lighting.  The words seem to waver in print and after a few pages, my eyes are too exhausted to continue.

Out of frustration, I stopped reading books altogether.

As a result, I felt like I was short-changing myself and my readers.

Then I read a post on a particular blog aptly titled- Like to write but don’t like to read? Help is here.  After reading this, I was filled with hope and excitement.  The author, Lisa, talks about two types of writers: reader-writer, and writer-writer.  One writer reads lots and lots of books; while the other one does not.  Lisa considers herself to be a writer-writer. Her reason?

“I love words but have trouble reading them.”

What did she do?  She began to listen to audiobooks.

    “I find that hearing the words read aloud and visualizing them in my mind actually helps me to     find new ways to put my own thoughts together.”

So, I’m going to experiment with audiobooks on my own.  I recently discovered (and have signed up for) a program called Talking Books where audio books are provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).

Talking Books

In the near future, I will provide my own feedback on this.  Stay tuned!

What about you?  Do you think audiobooks can benefit writers?

 

Further readings:

Is Listening to Audio Books Really the Same as Reading?

Are Audiobooks the Key to Better Writing?

5 Reasons Why Writers Should Listen to Audiobooks

 

13 comments

  4. Thank you for this wonderful information. Yes, audio books have been out there for a long time. Being traditional, I ignored them and also ended up ignored reading, other than blog posts and other quick reading.

    I used to read constantly. I have to admit, I haven’t read a book in a long time. Part of it is my eyes and my concentration, possibly from reading so many books earlier in my life (I know, don’t blame the books). I am going to try this. I really think I might get much more from the stories than from reading the stories. Thank you again for sharing this information. It could really help me. I do miss books.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      • So far so good. I really get immersed into the story by listening to it. I have to turn off all distraction, put on my full headphones and I simply lay back and disappear into the story. It really is amazing. I can download audio books from my local library online. I am able to listen to a sample. I like to hear the readers voice. The voice makes a difference for me. Thank you again 🙂 I will keep you updated as I further explore further audio books. It had truly opened up my reading/listening experience.

        Liked by 1 person

        Reply

  5. I thought I would follow up one last time on the audio books. I will say that they have changed my life. I am writing constantly. Words continuously flow. I can write 1000 word short stories like I used to write 50 words poems. They may not be great writings. I’m not going to be the judge of my own writings. All I know is that they vary in subject matter, expressions and feelings. I will say that this is all because I listen to books.

    There is something about having a story told you me. I can truly experience the story, the phrasing, the melody within the words. I can experience the freedom of the author within the reading of the word, even if it is not the author who is reading the words. I have learned more about writing by listening to stories than I even learned from reading stories. I believe that stories were meant to be told, rather than read. In this way, we are free to experience the stories. Stories were told throughout history, rather than written.

    Even when I used to read, i used to read out loud, which is something that i can’t do in public. I can listen to a story in public or wherever and whenever I want. Also, being sort of an introvert, I used to use TV for my companionship in a way. Just to hear it in the background for company. Now, listening to books, is much more effective for me in this way also. Much more person. No commercials and, when I find the write voice, it is soothing as well as enriching from the story itself.

    All in all, it is a great success. Again, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I am sincerely grateful. It changed my life in so many ways. Especially my writing, which is so wonderful now.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. Allison, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with audiobooks with me! I have finally received my talking books (two to start with), and will be starting on them asap. I will share my personal experience as well 🙂 Have a wonderful rest of your weekend!

    Like

    Reply

  7. I work for an LBPH. This is a great program for blind, physically handicapped, and reading disabled readers. I am a reader advisor to institutions. I am glad you found the program. Enjoy the books, and yes, listening is the same as reading.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Love to Hear from You!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.