The Art of Noticing

Today I learned that even something as simple as fruit can still surprise me. I was at an outdoor restaurant and was amazed to discover a pineapple growing right out of what I’d thought was an agave. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that assumptions can blind us to reality’s nuances. As artists and writers, we must remain open to the unexpected, both in the world around us and in t...

Today I realized that I’d rather be the best damn thing in the world to a small group of fans than to be known by the masses. It feels better to create something so resonant that it’s ideal for a small, devoted audience than to be somewhat enjoyed by millions. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the importance of honing in on your authentic audience rather than casting a wide, imperso...

Today I noticed that the technology of self-driving cars isn't on some distant horizon; it's here, right now. Right now in Austin, I was amazed to see vehicles with steering wheels but no drivers navigating the city. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that what we often think of as "futuristic" may already exist in the present. As creators, we shouldn't limit our imaginations based o...

Today I noticed that every time I begin to recount a family anecdote, my family interrupts, telling me they've heard it a thousand times before. It's clear that my stories have a lifespan within my circle, and I need some fresh meat. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that storytelling has a contextual lifespan. What might be tired and overused in one context could be fresh and invig...

Today I learned that dictionaries don’t insist upon external “rules” of the words we use. Instead, they tell us how words are being used right now. They're more a snapshot of linguistic tendencies than arbiters of "correctness." The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that artists and writers should not feel confined by rules and standards. Instead, we can take inspiration from the evolvi...

Today I noticed that when I'm wrestling with creative roadblocks or feeling emotionally drained, physical exercise often becomes my saving grace. Simply moving my body reignites my stagnant mental state. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that breaking from our usual patterns, whether through exercise or other means, can unblock creative channels. When we shake things up in our routi...

Today (okay, “recently”), I saw musician Bob Schneider perform with his father and young daughter onstage. It was pretty cool to see how he brought his family into his concert. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that the personal and the professional don't always have to be compartmentalized. Introducing elements of familial relations or personal history into our work can add layers...

Today I learned that most cars have an often-unnoticed small but useful feature: a triangle icon next to the fuel gauge that indicates which side of the car the gas tank is on. If you’ve ever been annoyed by pulling up on the wrong side of the gas pump, the solution’s been there, invisible, all along. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that subtle elements in storytelling and art oft...

Today I learned that despite years of negative public opinion and health concerns, MSG is not as unhealthy as it's been made out to be. The bad reputation it garnered over the years wasn't based on scientific proof but rather a culturally perpetuated myth that refuses to die. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the enduring impact of first impressions, whether good or bad. This could...

Today I noticed the billboard of David Komie, an attorney in Austin who breaks the conventional lawyer mold with his dreadlocks and “rocker” appearance. His unique branding makes him appealing to a demographic that might otherwise be disenchanted with the legal process. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that daring to be unconventional in your field can resonate strongly with a part...

Today I noticed that acclimatizing to the extreme summer temperatures in Texas has shifted my comfort range. I've gotten used to to handling days at 105°F, but my tolerance for cooler temperatures — I’m talking a still-warm 65°F — has gone away entirely. It seems we can't extend one end of our comfort range without impacting the other. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that adapting...

Today I noticed that I’m unusually good at remembering names and faces, even for individuals I've met or seen only briefly. I can do it with celebrities, too. It’s dawned on me that most people aren’t that way. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that unique skills, no matter how mundane they may seem to the person who has them, can serve as a form of personal branding. Artists and wr...

Today I learned that context in film and TV is everything. While talking to actors on the TV show based on my books, one of them referenced a scene in which one character is shown standing outside the window of a restaurant, looking in. They specifically mentioned that there was no shot showing the character - Mike - walking up to the restaurant, so the joke was that he had just been there all alo...

Today I noticed, while revisiting old Stephen King novels, that he uses the same distinct phrases and sentence structures over and over and again. They aren't distracting, but they are a unique linguistic fingerprint that makes King's work instantly recognizable. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that repetition isn't necessarily a flaw. In the right context, recurring elements can...

Today I noticed that people often label others as inspiring when they're in a challenging situation. While this might be true and well-intended, there’s a weird double-take that can and maybe should happen when thinking about those “inspiring” folks: thinking of the very real and often terrible struggles the person is enduring, inspiring or not. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is tha...

Today I noticed that when I tried to comprehend the concept of "the now" (you know, in the Eckhart Tolle way?), it wasn’t hard — but was super interesting — to find. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that “the Now” does exist as its own unique moment, and it’s really obvious when you get down to it. However, it SEEMS hard to find because it’s often conflated with the past and future...

Today I noticed that on my morning walk, the usually-bustling soundscape was eerily quiet. It took me a moment to realize that it was so still because it hasn’t been as hot, and so nobody was running their loud air-conditioning units. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that what's missing can be just as important (if often harder to notice) than what's present . The lesson is applica...

Today I noticed that as my kids get older, I've fully and completely started to internalize the fact they are genuinely their own individuals, not just my wards or duplicates of me somehow. I mean it. Really. In ways I never really got it before. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that recognizing and fleshing out the journey, and individual growth, and identity of a character over t...

Today I noticed that an optical illusion on Instagram was actually a conformity test in disguise … and by the way, I never saw that horse as walking forward. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that conformity can sometimes cloud our true perceptions, making us question our own real interpretations in favor of the majority's view. And that’s almost never good for an artist. WANT MORE?...

Today I noticed that the bass player in one of my favorite bands local bands, Bruce Hughes, was playing bass in a different band I saw onstage this weekend. It occurred to me that very few people would have any idea who he was before he got on stage, and that got me thinking about adding a character like him – someone with a very small amount of local fame – to my current book. The creative lesson...

Today it occurred to me , after watching Silo on Apple+, how strange it would be to not know the history of your civilization (because that’s how it is in the show). It got me thinking: Are we really as sure about our history as we think we are? The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that our beliefs, more than reality, shape our present and future … and in art and storytelling, perceive...

Today I noticed how it takes a long time to learn how to do a handstand. At age 47, it’s a ridiculous thing to pick up, but I've been doing it. And I've noticed that it requires lots of patience and lots of practice, and lots of getting over fears. But it's also about perfectly finding balance in a new position – something we do all the time while standing on our own 2 feet. The creative lesson I...

Today I learned , when I went to buy a filtered water pitcher for my son for college, that you can't fit a pitcher inside of a mini fridge. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that the minutiae can make or break the credibility of your work. My pitcher example is a really small, really ridiculous Noticing, but it exemplifies the need for getting details right in fiction, because getti...

Today I noticed that the more interested I am in an idea, the bigger it becomes and the more daunting it therefore becomes. The result is that I procrastinate and stop myself before I get started. The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that complex ideas, while exciting, can sometimes lead to paralysis due to overwhelm. Simplifying or breaking these ideas into manageable chunks is theref...

Today I had a blog post image that I really liked, for the blog post that will be on the same topic as this episode, but didn't have a pre-existing Noticing to go with it. And so I decided that maybe the image itself could act as a Noticing: that I could start with the image, then pull a whole story idea from it. The image was of a woman behind a bunch of glass bottles. They seemed illicit to me,...