There has always been a belief that watching TV is not conducive to being a good writer. This is because some writers believe that TV is the boob tube and that it’s just a waste of time. Some people have even blamed TV for the degeneration of human culture and have urged parents not to let their kids watch TV. But watching TV is not necessarily a damaging past time. In truth, it can even be advantageous for a writer to watch TV.
Here are 5 reasons why writers should watch TV:
1. TV is a potent source of inspiration
The most beautiful thing about TV is that it is a near limitless source of inspiration. This is because there are a myriad of TV channels out there. And although some of them do show brain dead content like reality shows and such, there are also some great shows and movies out there than can totally reinvigorate the writing process.
TV shows are not just limited to trashy sitcoms or mindless reality shows, there are in truth truly great shows out there that can really inspire you to write more. Just be discerning when it comes to choosing shows.
2. You can learn about history and other cultures through TV
It always pays to be knowledgeable about history and other cultures if you are a writer. This is because the more knowledgeable you are about other cultures, the more things you can write about and the more multifaceted your writing will be in the long run.
So the next time there is a documentary on the Trojan War or Japanese culture, watch it and try to write about it in your next writing sessions. There are a myriad of great documentary shows out there and it always pays to watch any of them.
3. It improves your dialogue writing
Yet another reason to watch TV is the great dialogue. There are a myriad of great shows out there that contain impressive dialogue. This is because a majority of them are written by truly skilled screen writers.
So if you want your dialogue writing skills to be both witty and enthralling, it is imperative that you watch TV shows like Downton Abbey, Game of Thrones, etc. These shows have truly incredible dialogue and are great sources of inspiration.
4. You will be able to create truly multifaceted characters
If you have watched a few episodes of a truly great TV series like the Game of Thrones or the Sopranos, you would have noticed how deep and multifaceted their characters are. These characters have become a part of pop culture and are beloved for their uniqueness and realism. So if you want to improve your character writing skills, it is always a good idea to watch and observe the characters in TV shows.
Try to note what makes these characters interesting and relatable. What makes these characters fan favorites? What are their faults as characters and what makes them compelling? By taking note of these characteristics you will be able to infuse these traits into your own characters.
5. TV will help you get more in tune with pop culture
One of the main benefits of watching TV is the fact that you become more attuned to popular culture. You can be a wide reader and know The Iliad or Beowulf to heart, but it also pays that you know trivia about popular shows.
This is not only a way to be more relatable with your readers, but it is also a great way to increase your creativity and productivity in writing. This is because the more pop culture trivia you know, the cleverer and wittier your writing can be.
All in all TV is a great source of inspiration and can really jumpstart the entire writing process. But like any good thing it should be enjoyed in moderation. Because too much TV watching can get in the way of your book writing sessions and your other daily activities. So enjoy TV, but not too much.
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