Lesson 1: Observation

[Tamur]

Foundation

In the first part of this course, we'll cover the foundation on which great fiction is built. Included in this will be what a writer needs to do before setting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard): things like observing real-life detail, finding the seed of the story, building vision, creating the writing-space and believable character to inhabit that space, and other topics.

First off, observation.

Assignments must be posted by 00:01 GMT (one minute past midnight) Wednesday, 7 May 2008

The Eye of the Writer

The foundation of any story is observation. Every person alive observes their surroundings to some extent. A writer must go beyond basic observation, into the observation of detail. Sight, sound, taste, smell, touch - all of these are the writer's tools to make powerful fiction.

Let's say that the average person notices that a wall is dirty. For a writer, this isn't enough. Note the difference between:

The bricks in the wall were smeared with debris

and

Dark smudges covered the plaster wall

Not only does the reader know the wall is dirty - he or she now knows that the wall is made of some sort of material, and the "dirt" is of a specific type as well. This is a small example, but the observation and inclusion of such detail separates passable writing from great writing.

The second point is that it isn't enough to make up details. Yes, you are a writer, and fiction is all about details fabricated from (apparently) nothing. But if the invented details of the story aren't based on some observation or experience, then very quickly, the writing will seem hollow and lifeless. If you're writing a story about romance and have never been in love, good luck convincing anyone that your characters are experiencing anything real!

Obviously one can't observe, say, a dragon swooping down on a village and setting the buildings alight with its flaming breath. But what can you observe fairly easily (especially thanks to the internet)?

• A raptor swooping down on its prey
• A flamethrower or other flame-blowing weapon or accident
• Burning buildings

Observing the reality of those three elements, with a writer's eye for detail, will breathe life into your story that will convince the reader to leave disbelief about dragons or burning villages behind. It becomes real as soon as you include real, observed detail.

ASSIGNMENT

1) Spend time this week observing physical detail, carefully, with paper nearby to note it on. I'm not going to give examples because it's up to you to decide what interests you enough to catch your attention. But when your attention is caught, notice everything and write it down. You do not need to post these observations, though you're certainly free to do so.

2) Writing assignment. This needs to be posted by all those participating.

Length: three paragraphs

Next time you are in a restaurant, market, grocery store, or any other public place where individuals, couples, or groups gather and interact, jot down your observations in a notebook.

In one paragraph, describe a loner's looks and behaviour.

In another, describe the looks and interactions of a pair or group of people.

In the third paragraph, describe how anyone with an official role interacts with everyone else. This could be a waiter, checker, stall owner, police, street cleaner, match official, etc.

A note to those who might be tempted to just write "They don't interact" or other non-descriptions: that won't do for a writer! How don't they interact? Do they keep their eyes turned away from others? Do they fiddle with their PDAs? Talk on their cell phones? Kick the dirt? Stare around at the tops of buildings? Notice everything and write it down.

Good luck, and thanks to everyone participating! I'm excited to see the results.