tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post4724338077180236474..comments2024-03-18T16:37:30.718-04:00Comments on Insecure Writer's Support Group: Observation: A Writer’s ToolAlex J. Cavanaughhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09770065693345181702noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-59141933711160134972014-05-07T11:14:12.723-04:002014-05-07T11:14:12.723-04:00Observation is a great tool, and it can stir the i...Observation is a great tool, and it can stir the imagination in new ways too. Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-61059448741846331852014-04-23T19:18:28.956-04:002014-04-23T19:18:28.956-04:00Blue, it's funny how something so seemingly si...Blue, it's funny how something so seemingly simple can be so difficult to grasp.<br /><br />PK, ha, I did the same. I traveled to so many places just to broaden my experiences. And I totally agree. Inspiration can come from anywhere.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-24241547319761308152014-04-22T16:10:07.580-04:002014-04-22T16:10:07.580-04:00So well said! I think that's why I spent my 20...So well said! I think that's why I spent my 20s traveling. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I also felt like i needed to see and experience the world. <br />Funny tho, I find inspiration now in the oddest places--the everyday ones where all walks of life can be spotted. That's what gets my writer brain cranking!PK HREZOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11650153097981426833noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-31122552377778492342014-04-22T15:07:47.544-04:002014-04-22T15:07:47.544-04:00That's the first thing I teach my students, Ly...<b>That's the first thing I teach</b> my students, Lynda: to be aware of the difference between telling and showing characters’ emotions. Somehow it's always an eye-opener.Blue Grumpsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03106493133778319165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-87597675653045747902014-04-18T22:06:42.720-04:002014-04-18T22:06:42.720-04:00Donna, the quiet people are often gifted with the ...Donna, the quiet people are often gifted with the natural ability to observe.<br /><br />Michael, and like anything, it takes practice.<br /><br />Suze, it's why you are able to capture characters so skillfully.<br /><br />Melanie, it is fun.<br /><br />Stepheny, you captured the love of being a writer well. <br /><br />Pat, gotta love the variety<br /><br />Victoria, thanks so much<br /><br />Diane, I've never been to a baseball game. I can imagine it would be awesome for people watching.<br /><br />Joylene, airports are fascinating places.<br /><br />SK, those small details make a world of difference.<br /><br />Birgit, great places for people watching.<br /><br />Lexa, I totally agree<br /><br />GB, it really does make a difference.<br /><br />Raquel, great minds :)<br /><br />Julie, it might even be a part of why you're a writer<br /><br />Beverly, exercises like those push us to go deeper <br /><br />Carol, exactly, and there's nothing simple about anyone. We're all so complex.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-53109846477909133202014-04-18T21:53:35.253-04:002014-04-18T21:53:35.253-04:00Madeline, Ideas come from the strangest places, an...Madeline, Ideas come from the strangest places, and if we're observant, then we'll never be short of ideas.<br /><br />Elsie, Ha, the beach and the mall are my favourite places for people watching. <br /><br />Christine, it shows in your writing :)<br /><br />Luanne, yep, me too. It's why I'm never far from a notepad.<br /><br />Robin, exactly right--and well said. And yes, it's so easy to forget.<br /><br />Susan, interesting. It's good to know your strengths.<br /><br />Fundy, I'm never far from my camera as well. With a notebook, you can capture what a photo can't too eg smell, sound, feel etc<br /><br />Nicki, embrace the weird! :)<br /><br />Joy, sometime it takes a conscious effort. But it's worth it.<br /><br />Chrys, exactly right.<br /><br />Michelle, hehe, no stalking or gaping... check. ;)<br /><br />Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-6805127929241987152014-04-18T15:45:17.279-04:002014-04-18T15:45:17.279-04:00Great points. I just realized recently that people...Great points. I just realized recently that people in real life are often more interesting than the characters in my book. And that if I get stuck describing someone, I can think of someone in real life. People are SO varied! Fun. :)Carol Riggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14092209912983783974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-59049726082445254182014-04-18T11:48:56.282-04:002014-04-18T11:48:56.282-04:00I love writer's exercises that challenge you d...I love writer's exercises that challenge you describe a person without using their most obvious characteristics. Like describing a doctor without talking about the white coat and stethoscope. I think uses the other senses- smell, sound, touch, taste- gives a much richer experience.Bevimushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924337684790883853noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-65454565939638227922014-04-18T11:11:18.994-04:002014-04-18T11:11:18.994-04:00I've always been quiet and more of an observer...I've always been quiet and more of an observer than a participant so I'm glad to have found something where this is beneficial. Another reason to love writing. :)Julie Flandershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05003737491313673214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-7942812257936800422014-04-18T08:49:42.857-04:002014-04-18T08:49:42.857-04:00Say, I did 'observations', too! :)
Stayin...Say, I did 'observations', too! :)<br /><br />Staying quiet is the best way to observe.<br /><br />Folks who talk a lot let a lot of things slip by without ever noticing them.<br /><br />When you're quiet, you're able to watch.<br /><br />I always notice the things no one else does. It takes practice-- like a meditation-- but I do believe we can learn to be more attentive. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08397400242153470523noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-56833215025064497972014-04-17T18:57:11.043-04:002014-04-17T18:57:11.043-04:00I simply keep my eyes and ears open, which for me ...I simply keep my eyes and ears open, which for me has led to having to having a couple short stories published as well as a novel.<br /><br />A-Z Challenge at <a href="http://gbmjrflashy.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Father Nature's Corner</a>G. B. Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09783331838434598963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-82712112124316848992014-04-17T17:30:24.858-04:002014-04-17T17:30:24.858-04:00Sea Patrick's quote is perfect. I often believ...Sea Patrick's quote is perfect. I often believe that it's better if writers sometimes don't get published until later in life. You need a lot of life experiences to deepen your work - and part of those comes from observing others. Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07735576044552810103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-40083782732301224782014-04-17T16:23:29.196-04:002014-04-17T16:23:29.196-04:00I observe people in the mall and when I am shoppin...I observe people in the mall and when I am shopping. Any time I am out I find it fascinating how people walk, talk and go about their dayBirgithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09439720285857050428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-47296898805963687322014-04-17T16:09:36.971-04:002014-04-17T16:09:36.971-04:00I've always been shy and quiet so being aware ...I've always been shy and quiet so being aware of my surroundings and other people comes naturally. I'm more into studying the smaller details now as opposed to the general view I might have. As you said, observation is crucial and I'm learning to focus on certain aspects I know would help me as a writer. Great post :DSK Anthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04601373778228160390noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-84888382709551320212014-04-17T14:44:02.138-04:002014-04-17T14:44:02.138-04:00I love airports, mostly because I've spent a l...I love airports, mostly because I've spent a lot of time in them this winter. I still find coming up with original ways of showing who my characters are, by far the hardest part of the story. You know, the kind glare that can cement you to your seat. How to describe that look to a reader is still very tough for me. Great post, Lynda. So important. Joylene Nowell Butlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04497637513532136615noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-19652834205321438002014-04-17T14:19:21.986-04:002014-04-17T14:19:21.986-04:00My favorite place to observe people is at baseball...My favorite place to observe people is at baseball games. You get the oddest mix of humanity there. I spend more time people watching than I do game watching.L. Diane Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06425864276166334896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-56977751849602991892014-04-17T14:11:35.037-04:002014-04-17T14:11:35.037-04:00Wonderful post, Lynda, as always. Observing the de...Wonderful post, Lynda, as always. Observing the details around us is crucial to writing and creating realistic characters and a sense of place. I love to watch people while sitting on a park bench and observe nature all around me. Thanks again for a wonderful post. ~Victoria Marie LeesVictoria Marie Leeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05294868315757138169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-30382904920747858632014-04-17T14:00:48.530-04:002014-04-17T14:00:48.530-04:00I see many walks of life at work, one of the only ...I see many walks of life at work, one of the only good things about it, mostlyPat Hatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07745293224202430152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-323431873872024702014-04-17T13:47:49.032-04:002014-04-17T13:47:49.032-04:00Happy to find your blog on the 17th day of the #ch...Happy to find your blog on the 17th day of the #challenge. The deep satisfaction of writing, rewriting, finding a better word, seeing the snowflake drifting to the ground in the light of the street light, showing that moment, this is what I LOVE about being a writer. If you have time or interest, this month it is all about gardening and related topics. This too calls for observation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-14837470046956218082014-04-17T13:44:09.138-04:002014-04-17T13:44:09.138-04:00I love to people watch. It gives me hours of enjoy...I love to people watch. It gives me hours of enjoyment. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11622191037152999869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-55127385673038688252014-04-17T12:08:41.376-04:002014-04-17T12:08:41.376-04:00'How do you practice observation?'
With m...'How do you practice observation?'<br /><br />With my ears. When I overhear someone, typically a stranger, having a colorful conversation, my ears automatically perk up. I record cadence and humor liked a mixed tape. I'd do that even if I weren't a writer. It's a source of tremendous amusement. :)Suzehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07908805179119217608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-91550197209412072752014-04-17T11:58:44.209-04:002014-04-17T11:58:44.209-04:00Hi, Lynda,
Observation is a SUPER IMPORTANT part ...Hi, Lynda,<br /><br />Observation is a SUPER IMPORTANT part of being a writer!<br /><br />It is a skill we ALL most hone in order to create REALISTIC AND BELIEVABLE works for our readers!Michael Di Gesuhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17047267262428143113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-41024909951969019162014-04-17T11:56:09.885-04:002014-04-17T11:56:09.885-04:00In reading comments, Frank's and L.G.'s st...In reading comments, Frank's and L.G.'s struck a note with me.<br />-Frank: "It's easy to observe when you're too shy to speak. As I outgrew my shyness, I've always watched, listened, and studied more than I've interacted." <br />-L.G.Smith: "I think most writers are deeply interested in psychology and the things that motivate people"<br /><br />I have always watched and wondered instead of interacting. I didn't realize it until someone in high school asked me why I never said anything! Studied psychology in college, then teaching. <br />I could sit at an airport, train station, mall, or in a quiet spot for hours.<br />Donna Smith<br />The A-to-Z Challenge<br />http://mainelywrite.blogspot.com<br />Mainely WriteDonna Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13738281869266957726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-33788712710396947932014-04-17T11:54:35.667-04:002014-04-17T11:54:35.667-04:00People watching is wonderful... entertaining AND e...People watching is wonderful... entertaining AND educational... what more could you ask for?<br />Remember - no stalking... <br />No gaping either... LOLMichelle Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02750092836481599870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3136420115688099157.post-6810314455515445542014-04-17T11:38:30.769-04:002014-04-17T11:38:30.769-04:00The power of observation is great for writers. We ...The power of observation is great for writers. We have to be able to look at the world around us and see (as well as feel) everything, because not only do we need to write like that but also because there are limitless sources of inspiration out there in the world. :)Chrys Feyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11955009490266358041noreply@blogger.com