My aunt gave me this shirt for Christmas. It quickly became my favorite t-shirt because of how true it is. I pay attention to the things that are going on around me-People watching. If I find something interesting, or it sparks an idea, it ends up in my novel. Hence the saying. One scene I’ve added in my book from people-watching is Yellowstone’s Upper Falls which I visited a couple of years ago- not only the waterfall but also the crowds of tourists I saw there. I have also incorporated a few characters sharing the same personalities and characteristics as my friends and family members (shh! Don’t tell them!)
Currently, I’m standing in front of Tamolitch Blue Pool, in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. The water is freezing, and I can barely put my feet in for three seconds. Though I might not be getting fully into the water, I’m watching other people jump into the pool and swim. One person even picked up their kid and tossed them into the water, where they had to come back, shivering, to shore.
Other instances of people watching I can think of are at the airport, at an airshow, and even theme parks. Any place you are, there are most likely people to gain inspiration from.
If you want to be a writer, people-watching is one of the best ways to get inspiration. You can see how people act, walk, and even talk. Most likely, after spending time with loved ones or friends, their personalities will start to show up in your book too. And, the best part is, you can put the real you into your novel without having to people-watch yourself!
Join my email list for more info about my upcoming book, and leave a comment below if you’ve ever had an interesting people-watching experience!
Stay magical,