Part 1.2 Observations
30 mins
- Start keeping a writer’s notebook for life observations
Introduction
This section is light. And a good one for lovers of stationary!
Keeping a Notebook
The first injunction is to find something which you can keep close to you and record your ideas in — notebook, phone, scraps, anything. Use it every time you have an idea, of whatever sort.
Writing things down makes sure that inspiration is preserved, but also encourages the brain to generate further ideas. The aim of the course is to build a habit, and make writing a part of our daily life.
Exercise
Noticing people and details
We are shown a video and asked to write down any details from the people shown which stand out to us. They may form the basis of characters we create during the course. Notice what details you have recorded, and then broaden your imaginings out to include the other senses.
My experience is that we all have “leading” senses, which are our primary way of processing or creating a scene, and that we need to consciously fill in the other senses afterwards, to make a more complete picture.
After the video, take this awareness into everyday life, to experience all the senses in a moment.
Me, now: burning chilli in my mouth from the instant noodles I’m eating, the sound of a summer wind blustering through the leaves, my partner’s voice in the background talking to an online work colleague, a welcome bird cheep (they have been absent for years), and the sight of the unfixed rug which has gathered annoyingly on one side.
Reviewing your notes
I noticed the props used by the people in the video, more than anything else. Physical appearance usually seems a bit of a blur to me.
Other participants have done little flash-scenes for a character, and posted them below, which are really cute!
Reflection
This was an easy and quick set of tasks, which are helping to get us ready for heavier work later.
On the senses part: a commenter mentioned that it’s easy to overlook smell and touch in descriptions. I think this is true, but I would add that it’s easy to overlook whatever sense is least apparent to us. For instance, when I thought about my room, I had to tell myself that visual was a sense I needed to add. Mostly I am movement / audio.
Give the course a spin yourself!
www.futurelearn.com/courses/start-writing-fiction