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Curious Writers
Posted on July 30th, 2010 12 commentsI’ve noticed an interesting phenomenon as I get more and more into this whole ‘writer thing.’
What might that be, you ask?
Are you curious, I ask back. If you are, it’s quite fitting as what I have noticed is an increased curiosity. Yes, that’s right, I’m now more curious than the cat.
I find I go into situations seeking tidbits I can pull into my writing or tuck away for later. Like what someone’s house looks like and how it reflects their personality–or doesn’t. They way people say things. The way certain places smell. The colour of the sky in different parts of Canada. And the most funnerest (other than making up words that are totally improper grammar) part of this whole renewed curiosity thing would have to be satisfying that curiosity with doing new things. I mean, if you are handed the opportunity to try wakeboarding, you have to try it. If you have an axe and permission to lop down some pines, you gotta seize the day. And savour it. The smells. Which muscles ache the next day. The textures. The way the water feels as you hit it. The way the sap travels freaking everywhere.
It’s curiosity about life, my friend. If you don’t have that, what do you have?
Yes, my adventurous nature has been renewed, my inner child prompted to the surface, and all in the name of making me a better writer. Life’s gems are laid out before me like a smorgasbord. And I’m hungry.
12 responses to “Curious Writers”
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Oh Jean what an excellent post! I, too, savor all the little details like smells and sounds and expressions. I tuck them away and hope to use them for my writing. But I’ve never cut down a tree or gone wakeboarding. Those sound like fun. I can imagine the smell of the tree as it splits open, and the feel of water rushing over me…
What a great thing – to be curious about life again!
Wonderful post, Jean.
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I agree with TK – awesome post!
I’m always curious – pretty much about everything. It’s probably part of what makes teaching so much fun.
There’s always something new to learn! -
That’s cool that you savour them too, TK. And that’s for the compliment. For the record–if you are going fast enough, hitting the water kind of hurts! It gets hard and you can actually bounce across the surface!
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Thanks, Jemi. I bet that makes you a fun teacher–your curiosity. There is nothing like sharing a little of it to tweak the interest of kids.
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Jean,
I love this post. Like you, I believe that writers must be curious. Otherwise we would only ever be wanna-be writers.
Life has so many flavors, scents and textures for us to experience. If we walk away from a situation without taking full advantage of that, we lose out on some valuable novel fodder–and just plain awesome, real life experience.
Thanks for the reminder to stay awake as we go through our days.
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Hi, Cat.
Thanks! Here’s to curiosity! I wonder if most writers are naturally curious and question-seeking. As a kid I was the queen of ‘why?’ and ‘but why?’
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Constantly curious – especially about nature. So many things out there that I STILL don’t know a whole lot about. Watched a cicada make his rattly noise the other day. Never knew how they did it. Apparently their butts are like little maracas.
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Hi, Mindy!
Thanks for stopping by. That is so cool about the cicadas. I wondered about that. I also wonder about tree frogs. They can make quite the racket and I don’t know how they do it. I have a feeling they don’t have maraca butts.
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I am curious about things, too. One thing I’ve always wanted to try is laying brick, just a nice little wall somewhere. (I don’t know why!)
Perhaps if writing doesn’t pan out I can go into construction.
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Oooooh…now that sounds like fun, Layinda. Count me in!
I enrolled in a handwriting analysis course awhile back but it was canceled due to a lack of interest. I was soooo disappointed!
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YES! My four year old is still in the “Why?” stage and I’m trying to indulge her with answers even though she sometimes says it without wanting or listening to my response. Curiosity is so important. How can we grow without it? Seriously. I discovered the cure for my bad knee because I was a writer who needed to learn how to do Tai Chi. Who knew? So many things to learn…. Great post, Jean.
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Victoria, that is awesome that you solved your knee problem with your writer’s curiosity! That is so cool.
I have no idea what writers did before the internet. Well, I know… but still! I learn so much having it at my fingertips. I’m curious… I look it up! If I had to trundle down the library I would have forgotten by then!
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Welcome to my Website and Blog
I am an aspiring fiction writer (children's, women's and commercial) and an agented nonfiction writer. I am also a member, critiquer and site moderator over on AgentQueryConnect.com. And, I also blog with other fabulous writers at all stages of the writing game on From The Write Angle.
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TK Richardson July 30th, 2010 at 10:10