Our Favorite Things!
For many writers, people watching is one of their favorite things to do and a main source of inspiration. If you observe people around you, you will never run out of ideas. Watch carefully the way people dress, walk, wear their hair, talk on their cellphones, lick ice cream cones, sip on a drink. Inspiration is everywhere if we just pay attention and look around.
If you have never actually taken the time to people, watch you can learn how to do it by practicing. Cut out pictures of faces from magazines or newspapers. Look at the faces and describe on paper what you see, use details like a strong jaw, deep blue eyes, a cleft chin. Look at every detail in their face and try to describe that face. Next, imagine you know them and decide what sort of person you are looking at, what are they really like (in your imagination)? Write it down.
Now, taking your pictures and your notes, choose three of your characters and write a story.
You may even invite your other writer friend to participate, each of you with your own pictures and your own notes. Now, switch pictures and notes and try to identify the people but the descriptions that were created. This can practice can be great fun and will help you learn how to people watch and gather inspiration from those around you.
For many writers, people watching is one of their favorite things to do and a main source of inspiration. If you observe people around you, you will never run out of ideas. Watch carefully the way people dress, walk, wear their hair, talk on their cellphones, lick ice cream cones, sip on a drink. Inspiration is everywhere if we just pay attention and look around.
If you have never actually taken the time to people, watch you can learn how to do it by practicing. Cut out pictures of faces from magazines or newspapers. Look at the faces and describe on paper what you see, use details like a strong jaw, deep blue eyes, a cleft chin. Look at every detail in their face and try to describe that face. Next, imagine you know them and decide what sort of person you are looking at, what are they really like (in your imagination)? Write it down.
Now, taking your pictures and your notes, choose three of your characters and write a story.
You may even invite your other writer friend to participate, each of you with your own pictures and your own notes. Now, switch pictures and notes and try to identify the people but the descriptions that were created. This can practice can be great fun and will help you learn how to people watch and gather inspiration from those around you.
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