Curiosity Killed the Cat!

Curiosity Killed the Cat

By Janie Lynn Panagopoulos

Are you nosy? Oh, I suppose that isn’t the right word to use… Are you curious? Well, I apologize, but I am just plain nosy and most writers are.

Writers, generally, have this one thing in common. They want to learn about things that are beyond their own personal circle - their own personal comfort zone. Writers like to watch, observe, take in, and steal the “ideas” of the lives of others. They listen to private conversations they aren’t involved in, jot down notes in their mind or on a note pad, and smile about what a great idea, thought, conversation they have just harvested from the life around them.

Writers secretly put their nose into other people’s business and absorb what is going on around them like a connoisseur sniffs, rolls, and savors all the flavors in a fine Boudreaux. Life gives a delightful taste on imagination of a writer.

Why do we do this? There is no telling but someday in the near future those observations might end up on the printed page in the form of character traits, plot twists, or even a setting that will stage all the information that has been gleaned.

If you want to become a better writer – learn to be nosy. Learn to watch, listen, smell, touch, and taste all of life around you but isn’t necessarily yours. But remember, the one thing that will kill the writer cat in all of us is being judgmental. You must be open minded and neutral to invade and collect the lives of others, because if you are judgmental you close the door to your growth, learning, observations, and collecting.

Curiosity might have killed the cat but it is the toe in the door to good writers.

Be Curious:
1. Use an objective eye when making observations.
2. Write concise notes with specific detailed descriptions.
3. When you write from observed details write with passion and purpose
know and sense your audience needs.
4. Connect with life around you by using your sense.
5. When you observe something you do not understand, don’t hesitate to question your own personal knowledge of the situation. If the answer is still not clear make sure your research for clarification. This is the heart of curiosity. Seeing, wondering, learning…

Writers Quotes “A writer needs three things, experience, observation, and imagination, any two of which, at times any one of which, can supply the lack of the others.” William Faulkner


Try a virtual field trip to help with observations:

http://www.southjerseyacademy.com/academy/internet_field_trips.htm