Everything Matters...in my writing, I mean.

First things first: Yesterday, I was suddenly in China Town, which, I suppose, shouldn't be all that surprising- I only live fifteen-to-twenty minutes out of the city, but I just thought I was going to walk with my grandparents around the local mall. Nope. They have to go to China Town. Then Brooklyn to drop off their friend. Of course I chauffeured! I can drive through and in the city, but I don't enjoy it. I- I greatly dislike driving through the city. I can't stand it, but I had to do it.

I bought my grandpa some bubble tea-creamy taro :D He was pretty pleased, to say the least.




Yesterday, when I got home from work I wrestled into my pajamas and plopped onto the couch with my mom who was watching television. PBS, actually, a show called 'Making Things-'; this episode was called 'Making Things Faster'. Yay. I was totally geeking-out the entire time, so much so, I wonder why I don't watch this channel more often. Well, anyway, I'm watching this and secretly hoping they'll talk about teleportation, but they never even touched upon it; now, though, I have a new-found respect for delivery persons: travelling salesman problem? Oh, my gosh. Who knew?! I will never again complain if I get a late package- I am more appreciative of your efforts.

Anyway, all that to say this: I've been working on a story pretty consistently for the past six months, and it's pretty exciting (not roller coaster exciting...well, sometimes it's roller coaster exciting) because this story is getting somewhere- it keeps evolving like a real story should.

And as real stories are written, advice is given. Some advice is good. Other advice is horrid. Of all the advice given to me, one is most given: write what you know.

Yay.

Great.

Good idea, good start.

But I only know so much. After a while I have to do research or, well, give up the writing project entirely.

But for this story I've found that everything I do or encounter becomes a part of my research for this story: my spontaneous trip to China Town, and watching PBS' NOVA.

At this point, I can't tell if this is so because either I'm so obsessed with my story that everything relates to it, or that research for writing really does fully inhabit the writer when he or she is, if you will allow, 'in the zone'.

Is that how great writing happens? Everything just becomes a part of the story? Cool.

I hope that if you are a writer, or even if you are not, everything you do and encounter will inspire you. Are not some of the greatest inventions inspired by accidents or by something that had seemed completely irrelevant?

Hollaback.

Spectator Sports

Have you ever just watched someone work?

No, not like group projects where one or two people do the work while the other three sit and gossip.

I mean have you ever watched someone work?

Have you ever watched street performers? You ever catch someone 'vandalizing' concrete, brick and mortar? Have you ever worked behind the scenes and watch the first time actors perform their lines aloud? Have you ever listened to someone practice their voice or piano lessons? Cello lessons? Ever watch someone compose music or write a book? Ever watch someone choreograph a ballet? Ever watch someone direct a movie, high or low budget? Have you ever watched a soccer player kick in the winning goal? Of course you have!

I enjoy watching people make things. I enjoy watching them bring things to life. I enjoy it especially when someone's hard work receives accolades. In fact, forget the accolades! I especially enjoy it when someone finishes their work, and sometimes that's all the accolades he might need. Finishing something feels just as good, if not better, than popular recognition.

Why?

Why what? Why do I enjoy watching people work? Well, I like watching other people enjoy life. I like watching delight grow on people's faces. I like knowing that I don't have to be a part of it because I might just ruin it. I like that other people want to inspire me. Well...not me personally, I mean 'me' like I'm part of the general crowd they want to inspire. We all want to inspire each other, some how, some way...

Even though we're all spectators, we're all invited to participate; we're even given the choice not to participate.

Not that the best work can't be done in private, but if you're given the privilege to watch genius at work I suggest you take it. You'll learn a lot. You don't always need to be doing something.

It's okay to sit, wait, listen and observe. Don't worry. One day people will watch you make stuff. Yeah, you'll inspire people. (You're probably inspiring people now, you just don't know it.)

So yeah!- you stop and smell those roses!