Making mix tapes | James Henley

Nov200828

Reflection & Contemplation

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Making mix tapes

I’ve become a bit caught up recently in preaching / speaking – and wanting to develop my own abilities. Right now, I’m trying to write a series of talks for the first time ever for our Lab monthly gatherings - so trying to improve and find my own style and flow for preaching is something which is on my mind.

Yesterday, a film student friend was talking about a couple of masterclasses he had attended which were taught by an amazing filmmaker and a composer. He mentioned that when asked about how to learn – how to get better – they had both said simply that you should find stuff that’s good and copy it, and in the process you will discover your own style.

My friend – being the clever creative type he is – likened it to compiling a mix tape. You take lots of different music you like and bring it together – and in the process create something which is actually new and different.

My problem has always been trying to copy and be like one person’s style too much – rather than being influenced by a wider range of people.

There’s an old T.S. Elliot quote “Talent imitates, but genius steals.” I think what he means is that to imitate completely means to suppress your own voice, but to steal is to make someone else’s idea your own – maybe?

Are there any preachers or speakers out there? What are your tips for find you own unique voice? Does it come naturally or are there specific ways you’ve tried to work at it?

—

As a post-script: Just to mention that I’ve now finally managed to get the technical stuff sorted so that you can now access my blog properly at the URL: jameshenley.co.uk. Nothing really changes and you can still get to the blog at the old address – but it does make it shorter to remember.

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