From the
past few months, I have noticed a new awareness in myself. I am hypersensitive
to people: their moods, body language, facial expressions, changes in their
voice and also my surroundings. Its like
the awareness that comes when one is initiated
with a mantra and a subtle but enormous change takes place in a human’s body.
Nowadays,
wherever I go, I tend to see the details that I had earlier missed or
overlooked. I am not sure if it is a writer thing, or its happening just like
that. In January, on a flight to Mumbai, I was enchanted with a young couple. I
admit they made a striking couple and attracted more than a fair share of
eyeballs, but I watched them as though I was
studying them for an exam. Let me hasten to add, that I didn’t stare at
them, but my eyes frequently strayed
towards them.
I liked the unselfconscious way the girl was
feeding the guy chocolate. Though the guy was glued to his laptop, the girl’s
constant chatter didn’t disturb him; there was no irritated expression
on his face. I liked the tattoo on the guy’s arm and the way his fingers moved
over the keyboard. The couple looked to be in their twenties and completely in
love, atleast the girl seemed more than the guy as she was displaying an
excessive P.D.A. My mind constantly drifted to the young couple; I
wondered who they were, where were they going, where were they from, what did
they do. I caught a glimpse of them at
the Mumbai airport waiting for a taxi. I
am sure both the girl and the guy will feature in some story/scene in a future
work.
The same
thing happened last week. I was out for lunch with a close friend. It was a
typical Bangalore
I noticed
the frugal way they bought the food items, I noticed the tacit look the husband
exchanged with his wife before picking
up the smallest packets and reading the price tags on the slightly larger ones
before placing them back on the shelves. This couple shared an understanding
that came with years of being together. Again, I can say with a certainty that
this old couple will figure in a future work of mine.
Does this
thing happen to you? Are you distracted by people, or, does something attract
your attention in such a way making you
wonder about it frequently. I am noticing that as I write more and more, I am
getting more observant? Please tell me whether any of you suffer from the same
malady? Please assure me that I am not going nuts, that I am just looking for
inspiration for my stories.
This is not a malady. This is what writers do. Everything is fodder. I wrote in a novel once, “Writers don’t have lives, they have ongoing research.” You should read Amos Oz’s Rhyming Life and Death (or at least my review here). In this book Oz describes a day in the life of a writer who creates stories from all the characters he comes in contact with until you’re not quite sure towards the end what is reality and what he’s imagining.
ReplyDeleteI tend to notice those things too. Just from watching a person, or a couple, you can glean so much by their expressions, reactions, behavior. I like how Jim describes it as "on-going research" - that sums it up nicely.
ReplyDeleteAlways, Rachna! All writers do. How else could we get everything on paper? How else could we show? I also listen in on conversations. Not because I'm nosy. But I need a real sense of how these young people talk. What kinds of conversations they have. I listen in on Ivy and her friends all the time. Then I make notes. I used a phrase I heard one girl speak in my book. It worked great. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are not going nuts; I do this too. I have always been something of a people watcher, but I think being more serious about writing as an adult has sharpened my interest and observational skills. I often wonder what someone's story is, what their past was like, etc. I study their behavior and ponder what caused them to be like that...No you are not the only one! :)
ReplyDeleteHave a good week!
You're a writer! I think that's synonymous with "nuts", LoL! In all seriousness, yes I do this too. My senses are heightened when I'm out and about; I notice people and smells and a spider spinning a web in the corner of a waiting room chair. Embrace it! This is a very very good "malady" you have, Rachna!
ReplyDelete@ Jim...I liked the way you described "writers don't have lives, they have ongoing research." Will read your review.
ReplyDelete@ Liz...I hope all my noticing people and things will lead to better writing, better descriptions and more believable characters.
@ Robyn...thanks for the affirmation that I am not alone, that its a writerly thing.
@ Karen...I am becoming a complete people watcher. I have started noticing things that earlier I wouldn't notice.
@ Laura...I feel happy that you too suffer from the same malady.Yep..writers and nuts go hand in hand ;)
I have always watched people--partly from my background as a counselor-- I watch what they do, how they react, body language etc. ANd still I do--we learn so much that way!
ReplyDeleteyou may enjoy the diversity for which Indians are famous.
ReplyDeleteI used to be more of a people watcher than i am these days. It's an important part of being a writer. I must hone my skills again :O)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely. People living their lives fascinate me.
ReplyDelete:-D
I people-watch, too. I didn't use to as much before, but (as a writer) I find it's quite interesting to see how people interact around each other.
ReplyDeleteThat's what makes you a great writer! Writers need to be aware of human nuances. It's what makes you better at your craft.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachna, I e-mailed you, but in case something went awry, I just wanted to let you know that you won a US$15 voucher from Judy Croome!
ReplyDeleteIf you didn't get the e-mail, please contact me ASAP.
Hi Rachna! You should swing by my blog soon, and then expect to see something in your mailbox soon!
ReplyDeleteAngela @ The Bookshelf Muse
@ Misha...thanks. Have already emailed you.
ReplyDelete@ Angela...thanks. I received the PDF version of Jeannie's book.
These days I'm not as observant because I'm thinking about my own writing. But when I pay attention, I do the same thing--see things I never would have noticed before.
ReplyDeletePeople watching is one of my favourite things to do. People are fascinating and I'm always making up stories about them in my head.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean. I don't notice couples as much, but I notice smells. The other day on the train there was a guy who smelled just like Chinese food and someone else who smelled delightfully of roses. I tried to figure out who they were, but the train was so full that it all kind of blended together. That was a great inspiration to write something.
ReplyDeleteI think this is something writers do without noticing. But you know what? I'd say I'm not a peoplw watcher, but on some level I must be. Writers have to create moods, facial expressions and plots that mirror that. As writing is often an extension of what we're feeling, it goes hand in hand in being able to describe people and the world around us.
ReplyDeleteI have not noticed this with myself yet. Perhaps it is your mind searching for the details. Are you in a writers block right now, or perhaps in the middle of outlining a new story and still fleshing it out and you're in the brain storming phase?
ReplyDeleteOn the flip side, I have latched on to passing comments, or see someone do something off hand and it makes me write it down. I have a list of one-liners on my white board to use that I picked up over the last month or so. When I look at them, they are all comedy. I know that writing in comedy is a weak point of mine. So its probably a byproduct of that.
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ReplyDeletetake two: i like the things you noticed about the couple. everyone will see different things, especially as our eyes are drawn to others for watching. the things you wrote about the couples are so significant and beautiful: the young man tolerating the constant chatter, the older woman allowing her tacit husband to make call on an item. they're not hugs and kisses. they're somehow more meaningful than that.
ReplyDeleteNot nuts at all! I adore people watching and since becoming a writer my observations are razor sharp.
ReplyDeleteMany peoples' appearances and mannerisms make it into my notebook!
I don't notice people as much, but I get very pulled in by simple details of landscapes and buildings and things like that. I think it's definitely a writer thing.
ReplyDeleteI often do the same thing, and then worry people will think me a voyeur. I can't help it, though. I think it is all part of being a writer and observing the world around us!
ReplyDeleteNot sure, but I might have just lost the comment I posted. Anyway, what I said was that I do notice people even when I don't know I'm watching them. Eventually, they do get put into a story in some form or another.
ReplyDeleteOh, Rachna... I love the two couples you observed. I think this observation comes to writers (and what a gift it is)! I know when I am writing a lot and thinking a great deal about my WIP, I tend to "see" more than I would otherwise. I personally think everyone in the world should see it through the eyes of a writer. There's so much MORE to see!
ReplyDeleteLOVE this post and will Tweet it (even though I know I'm a bit late, as usual). Thanks for a great read, dear.