Like most writers, I observe the setting, the people, the objects around me. I notice the coworker who regularly coughs before eating, I mentally note the colors of a discarded snack box on the side lawn, I see which mug gets used over and over by a friend, and which one stays in the cupboard. It’s not a special talent, it’s just the way I’ve been trained to pay attention so that I pick up on anything worth noting, anything interesting. I could go to an art museum for this type of creative inspiration, which I do, but it’s more fun to find it in unexpected places when you’re trudging through your day and your creative tank is on empty.
When I taught creative writing, observation was always a topic of discussion. I instructed my students to carefully listen to the conversations on the bus, pick up on small, personal habits of those that surround them, the repetitive movements of others, the way others act. I told them that it’s all there for us to make note of and observe.
When I treat each day like a scavenger hunt, I notice weird things. It’s a game I turn to on a regular basis to find whimsical or downright strange items, when I need it most. The only rules that apply are: 1) I have to find the object or setting on accident and 2) I can’t have any role in the curation of the image/moment. It all has to be organic.
I’ve been documenting my everyday observations for a couple of years now, and am ready to share them with you. This is my catalog of weird observations. I hope you enjoy it!
Stefanie Wielkopolan 