What if the key to deeper understanding and better storytelling is not in consuming faster but slowing down? I previously learned about techniques to increase reading speed, but perhaps there’s also value in intentionally reading slowly, especially for writers and others. That’s a central idea in Jacqueline Woodson’s engaging TED Talk, ‘What Reading Slowly Taught Me About Writing.’ Through personal anecdotes and thoughtful insights, Woodson explores six key elements of how reading and storytelling shape who we are and how we connect with the world.
Jacqueline Woodson about reading and writing
One of her standout points is the power of slow reading. Despite being discouraged, Woodson recalls tracing her finger under the words as a child. This deliberate pace allowed her to absorb the story’s rhythm and nuance. She argues that skimming and speed-read culture risk losing what makes reading meaningful. To illustrate empathy, Woodson also revisits “The Selfish Giant” from her childhood. What can a giant and a garden teach us about selflessness? This story left a lifelong impression on her, showing how narratives can model emotional growth and connection.
Does it always have to be faster, better, further?
Another compelling idea is the fictive dream, a phrase introduced by author John Gardner. It captures the way stories immerse us, creating vivid, imagined realities. Reading deeply lets us step into worlds far from our own, a privilege that makes books a window to understanding others. Woodson doesn’t shy away from discussing the evolution of storytelling, from campfire tales to digital platforms. She wonders, however, if our reliance on technology is fragmenting attention spans. Can we still lose ourselves in a book the way we once did?
Before you go: How to Read More Books – Finding the Motivation for Reading
Her ultimate takeaway? Stories endure. No matter how technology reshapes our habits, storytelling will continue connecting, teaching, and moving us. Woodson’s message is a timely reminder to pause and enjoy the richness of reading. Intrigued? Watch her TED Talk below for the full experience.
YouTube: Jacqueline Woodson – What reading slowly taught me about writing | TED
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Photo credit: The feature image has been taken by Dian Lofton for TED in Vancouver.
