There’s also an advantage to listening.

There’s a time to talk / write. There’s also a time to shut up and listen.

As the Dalai Lama noted, “When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know; But when you listen, you may learn something new.”

I agree with the author. Talking about writing is dumb. — you either have the guts to put your thoughts on paper or “push the red button” and record your music, or you should do something better than talking it.

I also think that “writers” need to be good listeners first. Sometimes people can just reach inside themselves and come up with something great. More often, a great writer need to listen first to understand what readers will find interesting. Sometimes a writer needs to understand what an audience wants to hear even if they don’t agree and don’t want to just sing along with the norm. Have a point of view and be prepared to convey and defend it. Use language and a vocabulary that will engage your audience.

I’m sure someone out there will point to great innovative writers or musicians and say “how could they be so creative if they waste their time listening to others.” Honestly, I’m not aware of a single great writer or musician in any genre who didn’t explore the works of others extensively and cite many influences. Great work is often, if not always, an amalgam of great influences. Being great is about being a great listener, then you can keep your mouth shut and be a great writer.

As Louis Armstrong noted, he only had a handful of great licks — most of which he learned from others. He just shuffled them.

I don’t claim to be a “great” writer, but I try to listen as much as I can. Then I try to shut up (as much as I can), write, record, edit, master and share what I learn with others.