Write Witchcraft: Attention, please
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Metaphysical folks tend to be observant. We’re always looking for signs, clues, and subtle shifts - small details that most people ignore. Pattern recognition is how we determine possible future outcomes.
Writers are also attentive. When you tune in to your surroundings, you will find all the inspiration you need. But how do you stay alert for ideas? What if you miss something? Can random events turn into something profound or interesting?
Observing your world doesn’t require much. Curiosity and a notebook are all you need.
Begin by putting your phone on silent when you’re out and about. Phones are an attention suck. Not only the constant interruptions from texts, calls, and social media notifications, but also the tendency to “just check,” which often turns a minute into thirty. You will miss so much if your head is always trained on your screen.
Listen in. Yes, eavesdropping is rude as hell. However, other people’s conversations can lead to ideas or avenues to investigate. Recently, I was on a train, sitting next to a giant man who decided to do business the entire three-hour ride. This meant I was forced to listen to his wheeling and dealing the whole time. While it was aggravating, I was fascinated with his aggressive language and macho posturing. I glanced over to his screen from time to time and watched his colleague’s reactions, which were also intriguing. It was obvious this dude had power - and they were not going to confront him.
Take everything in. People watching is never boring. Whether I’m sitting on a park bench, strolling through a mall, or attending an event, I’m always looking at the humans (and sometimes, animals) around me. Notice all the details you can: how people carry themselves, their posture, clothing, the honey-colored buttons on their jackets, the position of their hands, the grimace or smile when they encounter someone else - all of it.
Notice the music around you. Whenever I’m out, my ears are always alert for songs. Sometimes, a random song proves to be a “musical oracle,” a sign from the Universe. Other times, a lyric could lead to an idea.
Travel is one of the best sources for observing humans. I speak for myself, but I think we’re often more attentive when we’re far from home. Partly for safety, and partly because it’s a new environment. A recent road trip turned out to be filled with small events that might show up in a future blog post or something else. For example, on the ride home, I was suddenly caught in a torrential rainstorm. I decided to get off at the next exit, which took me into a small town. I drove around for a bit until I passed a small diner. As I turned my car around, a scruffy, shirtless man with a beat-up baseball cap and long shorts tried to get my attention by dancing wildly. Needless to say, I wasn’t interested in indulging in whatever he was into. Once I was parked (far enough away from him), I dashed through the storm into the safety of the diner. It may have been a shitty day, but this joint was popping. Every seat, except one, was filled. This meant my breakfast (which was phenomenal, with thick slices of perfectly cooked bacon) was the best people-watching experience of my entire journey.
Random interactions with people on your daily errands can be insightful, too. Never underestimate that simple conversation with your barista - often these come back to me later and turn into stories.
Keep your observations in a little notebook. I keep an observation journal where I record various things I encounter during my neighborhood walks, book tours, and more. Paging back through these old entries jogs my memory - and gets my creative juices flowing. Your observation journal doesn’t need to be elaborate. Just a notation of the day, who, what, where, and when. Like a reporter.
Once you begin noticing the world around you, a funny thing happens. You never run out of ideas. That is one of the secrets to my continuous output. I simply observe, take note, let it percolate, and then…write about it.
xo
Theresa
Image from stock photography. Artist credit: Rytis Bernotas.