“One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

 I am going to have to go a little quiet to get three stories written in the next two weeks, but when I read this article, I felt I had to post on the #Lifethisweek's prompt of Explore. In it, Murakami talks of the importance of observation in the creative process and writing. I too have found this. After lockdown, I started going to comedy shows at Giant Dwarf and the comedians would run polls in the audience "Who's still a bit scared going out?", "Are we giving hugs yet? Raise your hands" (All bar one person was mildly horrified at the prospect!) and the most memorable, when the audience was very flat and lounging all over their seats (using the stage as a footrest) "Did you literally use all the f%&*s you had to get here? No F%&*s left?" and we sort of all looked at each other and nodded in agreement, that yes, all our mental capacity had been exhausted just deciding if it was safe to come out and sit in an audience.

We all live in our own mental bubble of what we think is normal. Comedy is a great way to see broader market research of behaviour. As is going to the shops (we see the masks subside and reappear), as is walking the streets and people watching. The important thing is to get out of your routine and into the broader world. 

In lockdown I did an EDx course that had students from all over the world, there were very few Australians. It was really interesting to see what other nations were focused on and how they viewed things (and how much more informed they seemed on everything globally!). We explored ideas from many different viewpoints, most importantly, from outside our own frame of reference.

This importance and the art of observation is probably why so many spies wrote great novels. Graham Greene, Roald Dahl and possibly Ernest Hemingway to name a few. 

The other benefit of observation is that inspiration can come from the most odd places. Sometimes just an glimpse of a person can present a whole character or story. An art work might tickle a tale from the recesses of your mind. An incident grows into something more detailed.

So as part of your writing routine, don't just sit at the computer or put pen to paper. Watch and learn. Literally.

For those doing actual exploring, this was sent to me due to my MANY concerns about our pending trip to Hobart (which I now wish I hadn't booked at all) - it is worth reading, but the chief take away is bring two weeks worth of medication in case you get stuck there. To those travelling, may the borders be ever in your favour!

Linking with #WritersDen