Our Favorite Things!
For many writers, people-watching is one of their favorite things to do and a primary source of inspiration. If you observe people around you, you will never run out of ideas. Observe how people dress, walk, wear their hair, talk on their cellphones, lick ice cream cones, and sip on a drink. Inspiration is everywhere if we 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 notes. Now, switch pictures and notes and try to identify the people by the descriptions that were created.
Another way to people-watch is go to the park and watch the people around you. Go to the mall and take a seat on a bench and just observe. Watch other students at school. Write down your thoughts and ideas.Inspiration is everywhere.
This 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 primary source of inspiration. If you observe people around you, you will never run out of ideas. Observe how people dress, walk, wear their hair, talk on their cellphones, lick ice cream cones, and sip on a drink. Inspiration is everywhere if we 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 notes. Now, switch pictures and notes and try to identify the people by the descriptions that were created.
Another way to people-watch is go to the park and watch the people around you. Go to the mall and take a seat on a bench and just observe. Watch other students at school. Write down your thoughts and ideas.Inspiration is everywhere.
This practice can be great fun and will help you learn how to people-watch and gather inspiration from those around you.