The Art of Noticing

Today I noticed that yes, a song on my Ren Gill playlist really was called "Diazepam." And yes, it’s about the antidepressant/benzodiazepine of the same name. The song, like may of Ren’s, is all about his struggles with it and with everything else. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the importance of drawing from personal experiences and emotions in creative expression. Being fully y...

Today I learned that in horror movies, the least scary moments are usually in occur in Act 3, which is typically when the protagonist finally confronts the monster. I’m convinced it’s because unknown things (i.e., the monster before we truly see it and the protagonist finally engages it) are almost always more frightening than anything known. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the po...

Today I realized that after talking to my friend Joanna Penn — who’s been talking a lot about wanting to “make beautiful books” recently rather than just spitting out commodity books — I want to do the exact same thing. I don’t want to just tell great stories, though of course that’s part of it. I also want to make the books themselves wonderful, as part of the larger art. The creative lesson I to...

Today I noticed the way I keep comparing my college-freshman-son’s new college journey to my own. It wasn’t intended, but my constant instinct is to ensure he does everything “right,” so he won’t forget something important by mistake. What dawned on me recently, though, is that he's is himself; he is not me . That means he’ll find his own way, which is right for him … and I need to trust him to gr...

Today I learned how hard I am on keyboards, because I use them so much. (You’re writers, right? I’m sure you can relate.) It’s recently gotten me thinking I should buy more than one at a time, because I go through them like groceries. (I beat up keys, wear the letters off the tops … and end up screwed and unable to work because of it more often than I should.) The creative lesson I took from this...

Today I noticed that I even though it’s often a pain in the butt to do so, I always turn right when I leave the parking lot of my rock climbing gym. I can go left, though; the option was ALWAYS there in front of me. The way I defaulted so long into a less-than-ideal way of doing things made me wonder. I guess we have a tendency to stick with what we know, even if it means overlooking better ways o...

Today I noticed that my children have finally outgrown our Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating … and maybe carving jack-o'-lanterns, though that might have just been a timing issue this year. It’s time (our youngest is 15) but it still marks the end of a phase. But hey, time passes, and families evolve as it does. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the nature of change and gr...

Today I noticed how Halloween in our neighborhood (which are usually Mardi Gras levels of crazy, but took a hit during Covid) is gradually returning to its former craziness. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the enduring strength of traditions and communal rituals in the face of adversity. In writing, we can show this in how our characters and communities respond to and recover from...

Today I noticed that during a vacation in a remote West Texas town, my family and I were immediately spotted as outsiders by the locals when we went shopping in a small general store. We’re fairly normal-looking, so I figured we’d blend in. We did not. The locals were picking up on a million subtle cues and behaviors that we didn’t see, signaling our clear “otherness.” The creative lesson I took f...

Today I learned that when I was driving through and overnighting in West Texas, I had zero cell service at all. (Verizon. AT&T had service, so you can sort of ignore this if you’re with AT&T and want to be a stickler.) Being disconnected anywhere in the modern world surprised me, but it was also pretty cool. It made me realize how rare and valuable true disconnection has become in our always-onlin...

Today I noticed how, although I usually find superhero movies and shows too campy and unrealistic to stand (sorry, Marvel and DC), I actually DO like some superhero franchises. They just need to be grittier, more grounded, and less unrealistic within the suspension of disbelief I’m willing to give. The Boys and especially Logan fall into this category. They’re far a more relatable (and dare I say...

Today I noticed that, at a recent writers’ conference, I still have some "old school credibility" in the indie author community despite my relative absence from it and the fact that I’ve been in a cave for the past few years. Seeing that people still knew me — and sometimes, just my reputation — was pretty cool. It highlit the way that work in a creative field can have lasting impact, and that pas...

Today I noticed how hotel carpets are made with intricate patterns. I think they do it for functional reasons: to conceal stains and wear. However, it could also be about creating an atmosphere of luxury and attention to detail, since complex patterns tend to evoke a sense of sophistication and care in interior design. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the importance of layering det...

Today I noticed a massive sphere staring at me through my hotel window in Las Vegas. It’s an entertainment venue, but you can enjoy it from the outside, too: constantly changing in color and content, at one point transforming into a large emoji face that really freaked me out when two mirrors bounced it back at me unexpectedly. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the impact of dynamic...

Today I noticed the evolution of slot machines in Las Vegas from mechanical to digital displays. I have to assume it was because they’re more addictive and easier (read: less expensive) to maintain that way: a transformation aimed at maximizing profits for “the house.” The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the power of adapting and evolving our creative tools to keep audiences engaged …...

Today I noticed just how surreal Las Vegas is. It’s like some weird fever dream — an almost fantastical world, far removed from everyday life. The streets are a spectacle, with showgirls in extravagant costumes (and their butts hanging out), quirky street performers, and a continuous stream of odd encounters. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the value of incorporating the extraordi...

Today I noticed how inspiring it can be to be around other writers. Spending time with people like me in Las Vegas was like pixie dust to my creative energy, highlighting the power of community and shared passions in fueling the creative spirit. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the value of community and in the creative process. Being around like-minded individuals, especially in a...

Today I noticed that in the Las Vegas airport's baggage claim area, Uber is overwhelmingly advertised but Lyft isn’t. This singular focus on one rideshare company, without even a nod to the existence of another, felt like a monopoly or an afterthought. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the impact of selective visibility in shaping perceptions. Focusing exclusively on some details wh...

Today I learned that the best horror movies are often more than just scary. They also use horror elements as metaphors, with monsters and supernatural phenomena representing internal, psychological struggles of the characters: explorations of deeper, often unspoken human fears and conflicts. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that in storytelling, a cool technique is to use something...

Today I noticed on revisiting the movie The Talented Mr. Ripley that I’d gotten the message entirely wrong the first time I saw it. What I’d initially thought was a thriller turned out to be closer to a tragic love story: Tom Ripley unable to love others because he couldn’t come to grips with himself … and it leads to murder. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that a story can contai...

Today I noticed that watching terrible 1980s action movies can be incredibly entertaining for me, not despite their absurdity, but because of it. As a child of the 80s, they’re nostalgic for me and bring joy in their over-the-top, trashy presentation. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that “being classically great” isn't a prerequisite for entertainment. Flawed or “trashy” works can...

Today I noticed that after re-reading an old blog post of mine , which went maga-viral 12 years ago, I found it still resonated with me. This should have been obvious, but simply the fact that it was old didn't diminish its relevance … or the possibility that it could reach a whole new audience. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that good writing has a timeless quality that can cons...

Today I noticed how the The Simpsons lost a lot of its edge, in part but not in cause, when celebrities began playing themselves instead of guesting as normal characters. This shift seems to prioritize name-recognition over narrative integrity … and for me at least, the change wasn’t for the best. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is to tread carefully in terms of letting the allure of...

Today I noticed that I almost fell into the trap of believing I needed the most expensive poker chips, just for a single family vacation. This tendency to seek the best, even when impractical, is one of my constant (and unwise) weaknesses. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that "less can be more." In both life and art, the extravagant isn't always necessary. Sometimes, simplicity yi...

Today I noticed decided that I just don’t like my endocrinologist at all. The staff is rude and I’m tired of being treated like I know nothing about my health The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the importance of questioning authority, even in creative circles. Whether it's a mentor, a critic, or a trend, don't surrender your originality and intuition without discernment. Just because...