C. S. Lewis’ Advice to Young Writers #3

In 1959, at the suggestion of her teacher, an American schoolgirl wrote C. S. Lewis a letter requesting advice on writing. Lewis replied, “It is very hard to give any general advice about  writing. Here’s my attempt.”

In a series of eight blogposts we’re covering each of the points Lewis offered. They are just as pertinent today as they were 66 years ago.

Always write (and read) with the ear, not the eye. You should hear every sentence you write as if it was being read aloud or spoken. If it does not sound nice, try again.

– C. S. Lewis, letter of writing advice to an American schoolgirl, 14 December 1959

This is a very good bit of advice, and one often repeated to writers. Read your work aloud. The ear can hear what the eye can’t see. There is rhythm and music in great writing, and the eye doesn’t have the sensors for them. A well-structured sentence must also be an audible experience.

This harkens back to ages when our storytelling was an oral experience, when all we knew was a result of being told—from the news to family history to entertainment. We still use these ancient muscles when we recount an event for friends, read to our kids, listen to an audible book or go hear an author read their work. Writing must hold up under the eye and satisfy the ear.

“Always write with the ear.” I couldn’t agree more, Dr. Lewis.