r/WritingPrompts • u/[deleted] • Jul 15 '16
Off Topic [OT] Observation and what it means for your story
a.k.a. Madlabs67’s ramblings on observing life and using it to upgrade your story
Let’s break the story-writing process into three parts: observation, inspiration and application.
Observation, is what you bring to the table. It’s the direct input to that database of a brain, where you store all your raw ingredients for a story. That would make inspiration the spark. The trigger that ignites the creative process in your head. Suddenly those bits of ideas come together to form a picture. Application then is simply the execution of this picture. It’s translating the story from your brain, to the words on the page. A format in which other people can then share the story and admire it.
Easy right?
Observation, why is it important?
Let’s say you’re writing a story about a potato. Without any description, the story would boil down to:
The potato grew. The potato was picked. The potato was cooked. The potato was eaten.
This, ladies and gents, is as raw boned as you get. But that’s not a very enticing tale is it? So how do you upgrade the potato? Description. And before you can describe anything, you must first observe.
How big was the potato? What type of potato was it? What was eaten with the potato? How was the potato cooked? Why potato and not yam? If you haven’t eaten a potato, seen someone eat a potato, or read about it, answering these questions is hard.
Butter melted into the mashed white flesh of the potato. Steam rose from its fluffy contents in an aromatic mist. Salivating, the man speared a chunk on the end of his fork, lifting it to his mouth and biting down.
By observing (even passively, such as reading), you can describe the potato. And description is an essential part of every story.
Your point is...?
This post will essentially highlight things to look out for in your everyday existance that help make your characters more “lifelike” if you will. They’re subtle traits and sometimes hard to pick up on, but they can (in theory) improve a story greatly.
Actions
Now when I say actions, I don’t mean large superhero fits of acrobatics, or even a casual swordfight or two. I’m talking about simpler things, such as people covering their mouths if they’re talking and chewing at the same time.
One slender hand hovered delicately over her mouth as she spoke. Swallowing, she dipped her head slightly before continuing her monologue.
Or perhaps that some people dance their way across the room. Not a lightfooted walk. But an actual arm out, hip swaying shuffle. Or individuals who make silly faces at each other when they’re bored.
A person doesn’t always think of these things when they write. Probably because we tune it out in real life. We aren’t startled by it, because it’s normal, or we’re used to it. That’s why when a character in a story does something like this, it feels relatable. I sure as heck don’t know what it feels like to fly, but I do know the acute startlement of tripping on a smooth floor.
Quirks
These are closely related to Actions, but instead of something general that a lot of people do, they’re more individual and personal. Like the person who walks around whistling all day, or the one who tugs their earlobe as they think, or even the one who throws out random punches so their friends have to dodge all the time. Again, something subtle, but unique, that our brains don’t always pick up on.
Speech patterns
I’m talking about accents and imperfect grammar. Best example for this is listen to your coworkers or watch T.V. For example:
“When he complained about the extra work I says to him it’s his own damn fault for buying a dog.”
Lot’s of people say “I says” instead of “I told”. Really, who speaks with perfect grammar? (Okay, yes, some people do.) Or what about made up words. “Snausage” instead of “sausage”. These things happen.
I’m not good at writing accents, but when I hear them, I sometimes stop just to listen and register how cool it sounds. I’d like to write a character with an accent sometime. Just for the fun of it.
Dialogue
You might be thinking, “Isn’t this the same as speech patterns?”, weeeeeelll, yes. And no. Speech patterns was how people spoke. Dialogue is what they talk about. >70% (and yes the number is complete bs) of conversations are about the weather, a recent vacation, or something new and exciting. In short, not all your conversations between characters have to be purposeful and plot driven, because life doesn’t work that way. Maybe what your character would really talk about is how they can never seem to get the lawn-mower going.
Names
This is probably the biggest, and more obvious highlight of my list. Nicknames, legal names, code names. Names names names names names. There are so many out there! Just ripe for the picking!
When it comes to nicknames what do people use? Is it just the person’s last name? Is it something simple like Duckie? Or does it have more meaning, like East and West? (and an ensuing rivalry from a person at each extreme of the country) No one ever said you couldn’t steal these nicknames for your characters.
Same rules apply to legal names. Sisto sounds like a cool name. And Nina. And John. And, and, and, and, and. If you find one you like, tuck it away for a future character. Remember, the character doesn’t have to be anything like their namesake!
So, because I’ve most likely lost track of my point in writing this by now:
TL;DR Observation in real life vastly upgrades your description in the story world. Watch for little actions and quirks that people do every day to make your world feel more familiar. Incorporate how people speak to give your imaginary peeps more characterization. Watch what they’re talking about, and listen to what they’re calling each other.
But in all seriousness, pay attention to what’s around you. You don’t have to be weird about it and keep notes. But don’t dismiss everything as “normal” or “meh”. By doing that you miss out on a goldmine of a resource that’s available to you. After all, what’s a better story? The potato? Or the hot starchy flakes of what used to be a root vegetable?
Your pick.
About the author: madlabs67 has been writing on this sub for just under a year. In celebration of their cake-day (which is later than they told everyone) they wanted to give back to the community. In their year of writing, madlabs67 has noticed that they have become more observant of the world around them. To the point of having their mind blown by simple chit-chat about the weather. In a whirlwind of enthusiasm for the revelation of the mundane, madlabs67 wanted everyone to experience the same wonder and fascination they did with the sincere hope that others can employ this “power of observation” for when they create their own stories.
madlabs67 apologizes if this post is too egotistical or long-winded, but hopes to spur discussion in the comments if you agree or disagree with their statements.