You are always changing. The things you do and the people you surround yourself with make you who you are. Writing, too, can change the way you look and interact with the world for the better. You will become a better consumer of media and better understand the books, movies, and TV shows you read and watch. You can develop your observation skills and your general knowledge. And perhaps most importantly, you become a better and more creative problem solver.
Consumption of Media
All writers experience drastic changes in the way they consume media over time.
When you work to create your own plot, you learn the intricacies of foreshadowing and unpredictable twists. For writers, the tiniest hints dropped can help them predict a plot twist from miles away.
You might try to improve a dialogue scene in a book by adding more natural language. Maybe you analyze the cliffhangers at the end of each episode of a TV show, and consider whether ending the episode earlier or later would improve engagement. Perhaps you look at a movie and think about how you could write the same scene, including character thoughts.
It’s more fun to consume media when you know—to a certain extent—the work that went behind creating the final product. Having experienced writer’s block and trudged through weeks of editing yourself, you will be more appreciative of the book in your hand.
Observation Skills
This one may not be as obvious, but you do gain observation skills by writing.
If you can take a scene in your head, and pinpoint the material a clock is made of or notice the difference in syntax between two of your characters when they speak, those observation skills go beyond writing.
Having gained experience through your writing, you may notice a change in a person’s demeanor more easily than most or point out the differences between two pictures more quickly. Additionally, your characters probably find loopholes in laws or prophecies, which might allow you to notice things being left out in a conversation.
Research
Most writers have the oddest search histories, filled with everything from murder plans to the name of an ancient English monarch.
Whether you are writing historical fiction, sci-fi, or contemporary, you will probably need to research details about your setting and characters to ensure you are portraying an accurate and believable story.
Although these details may not come up in everyday life, you can use what you learn to correct inaccurate statements and teach your friends and family fun facts. It can also be useful for trivia!
Ideas
This is definitely one that will help you with everything you choose to do. Participating in any art improves your creativity and resourcefulness, and writing is no different.
If your characters can solve a murder mystery thanks to your wits or your protagonist can formulate a plan to take down a supervillain, you can solve any problem that comes your way.
Enhanced imagination will always be a skill you can use in your school and career, and every time you write, you only improve it more.
Being a writer, whether you notice it or not, will change you. Use the skills you build through writing to your advantage in your daily life!
How has writing changed the way you look at the world? Let me know in the comments!
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