Do you hear characters’ voices in your head when reading a book? How vivid are they? Do you have visual or other sensory experiences of characters when reading? Ever stopped to wonder why? A new research project on why some people hear inner voices would like to, er, hear from you.
Durham University’s Hearing the Voice project, in association with the Edinburgh International Festival of Books, is investigating why exactly some people hear voices, have imaginary friends, and talk to themselves. The project intends to debunk many myths about “the wrongly stigmatized phenomenon” (in other words: Good news, you’re not crazy). It will include the experiences of both writers and readers, and will focus on “inner monologues, imaginary childhood friends and the demands character voices place on a novelist.” Also taking part in the Edinburgh project is legendary storytelling organization The Moth.
