Heightening My Senses
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My hubby and I decided to go on a picnic and the venue of choice was one of the many Civil War sites close to our home. It was the Reno Monument and the day was picture perfect. We decided to take a walk before our lunch and began our destination on the trail to the NC monument that was sculpted by a friend of ours, Gary Casteel.
We’ve been to this monument before, but it was nice to revisit this historic site and to reflect on the terrain that the soldiers, both Union and Confederate, had to endure throughout the Civil War.
But what I found myself doing as we strolled along the pleasant path was purposely listening to the sounds around us. I had learned in one of my writing courses a technique, known by all writers, of heightening my senses. I was given an exercise to go to a public place, I chose Starbucks, and sit in a corner and people watch.
I learned to watch people’s gestures, inflections of their voices, clothing they wore, how they walked, ate and/or drank. It was a great deal of fun, and I felt a bit like a detective, and it did help me with characterization.
Getting back to my walk…I found myself identifying the many sounds taking place around me all at once. I heard birds singing, cicada’s chirping, leaves rustling in the light breeze, and muffled traffic from a distance down the road. I’m not sure if I ever took notice to the details before I began to write, but it was quite exhilarating. I then began looking at the many colors of wildflowers strewn throughout the wooded areas and how the air smelled fresh and sweet.
I’ve always heard the phrase, “Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses.” I had no idea how true a statement this is, not only for everyday life, but also for my writing. Something I will be sure to continue.
Happy writing…and thanks for listening.
