Self-Exploration for Writers: Listening and Viewing
By Norma J Hill (aka Pen And Paper Mama) ©2020

Welcome to a self-exploration series of exercises for writers: useful whether you are just thinking about writing, are a beginning writer, or are already an experienced writer. Explore what, for you personally, defines a writer, what kind of writer you are, what your writing goals are—and in the process, you will discover yourself as a writer. At the end of each post in the series, there is a link to a downloadable and printable PDF copy on which you can write your responses. Put them in a binder or duotang-type folder. Then, periodically along your writing journey, return to your answers, read what you noted previously, and add new thoughts and experiences. Through this self-exploration process, you’ll end up with a wonderful personal record of your writer’s journey.

1. Muses and Mentors
2. Reading that Inspires Me
3. Listening and Viewing
4. My Life Experiences Related to Writing
5. Inspiration and Dreams
6. Writing Formats and Focuses
7. My Writing Skills
8. My Readers/Audience
9. Preparing to Write

3. Listening and Viewing

Are you a listener and a viewer? Good writers constantly observe the world through listening and viewing. Writing and other media are, at heart, storytelling, whether fiction or nonfiction. List specific titles of media you enjoy listening to and viewing, and what you learn from them.

Films and movies:

Videos and video games:

Radio and podcasts:

Television:

Live theatre:

Music, dance, and other fine arts:

Nature, sports, and other observations:

Putting your exploration into practice:

Choose one of the above which you rarely engage in, and try it out! Ideally, after listening and viewing, participate. Play a video game or instrument, join a theatre group, film video….

PDF LINK for this “Listening and Viewing” exercise: Download, print, fill in your responses, and place them in your own “Self-Exploration for Writers” binder.