people watching

11 06, 2018

People Watching and A Writer’s Eye

By |2020-07-21T08:42:18-05:00June 11th, 2018|A Writer's Life|0 Comments

I’m an observer.

I learned from an early age that the art of observation could be a lifesaver.

When I was young, my mother would drive my grandmother and me along with my two siblings downtown where we’d park in front of the department store and people watch.

Mother and her mother would discuss the walkers—what they wore and who they were. Sometimes, friends they knew would stop beside the car and visit for a while.

My younger sister always wanted to know when we could go home. My little brother would cry to get out of the car. Grandmother would bribe them with the promise of an ice cream cone on the way home.

Me, I’d sit in the backseat and imagine why the people were downtown, what they were doing, and where they were going. I gave them silly names and made up stories about their lives. It kept the younger kids entertained and me from dying of boredom.

Mother always said I was a good storyteller—especially if I was in trouble.

I’m still a people watcher. I’m not being nosy or specifically eavesdropping. It’s human nature to observe. We all do it at one time or another.

The difference between my adult people watching and what I did as a child is that I store images and make notes of my reactions to what I see happening. I call it book research and character study.

I rely upon my writer’s eye to bring the images and feelings to mind at the appropriate time.

I may never use any of my observations, but people watching does exercise my creativity and passes what could be boring wait time more quickly.

Even if you’re not a writer, people watching can be fun entertainment. Plus, you’ll find you have interesting conversation topics.

7 09, 2015

Spying, people watching, or doing research?

By |2015-09-07T08:59:11-05:00September 7th, 2015|Make Me Think Monday|0 Comments

September-dust-rag1

SOURCE: http://www.annetaintor.com/september-caption-contest-finalists-2/

As a writer, I classify peeking through the blinds research whether I have a dust rag in my hand or not. Neither do I count eavesdropping and people watching as spying.

What better methods to gather data for my stories. I’m able to notice idiosyncrasies, speech patterns, body language, find clothing ideas, and observe relationship interactions. All of which provide great inspiration for my characters and their stories.

writer teeSometimes I wear my warning shirt.

Sometimes I don’t.

 

I’m not asking for actual responses, but I’m guessing many of you are guilty of dust rag spying or eavesdropping or people watching too.

I’m a writer that’s my excuse. What’s yours?

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