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The Art of Noticing — Arts
The Art of Noticing

**A Bite-Sized Podcast that Teaches You to See and Use the Creative Inspiration That’s Already Around You** Trouble with the muse? Believe me, I get it. Even after 120 books and a show on Hulu, I have as much trouble “finding the magic” as anyone. But the truth is, you don’t need to seek inspiration because it’s already all around you … if you know how to see it. Each 10-minute episode of “The Art of Noticing” contains two parts: something small and almost random I noticed around me, then a creative lesson I made from it, like spinning gold from straw. Whether it’s something in the news, the rhythm of rain against the window, a bit of trivia, word from a friend, or some small tidbit I picked up somewhere, anything can be creative fuel if you can learn to see what’s in front of you. Nothing is ordinary. Everything is art! /// Find show notes, transcriptions, and multi-weekly blog posts at https://www.johnnybtruant.com

johnnybtruant.substack.com

Copyright: © Johnny B. Truant

Latest Episodes:

043 - How Hard it is to Truly Find "Now" Dec 13, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that when I tried to comprehend the concept of "the now" (you know, in the Eckhart Tolle way?), it wasn’t hard — but was super interesting — to find.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that “the Now” does exist as its own unique moment, and it’s really obvious when you get down to it. However, it SEEMS hard to find because it’s often conflated with the past and future. In the realms of art and storytelling, isolating the "now" can bring clarity and vividness to the audience that other moments can't offer.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

042 - That It Was Way Too Quiet Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that on my morning walk, the usually-bustling soundscape was eerily quiet. It took me a moment to realize that it was so still because it hasn’t been as hot, and so nobody was running their loud air-conditioning units.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that what's missing can be just as important (if often harder to notice) than what's present. The lesson is applicable in both writing and art, where removing (or just never including) certain elements shows up as a too-seldom-used tool.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

040 - That My Kids Are Their Own People (Really) Dec 08, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that as my kids get older, I've fully and completely started to internalize the fact they are genuinely their own individuals, not just my wards or duplicates of me somehow. I mean it. Really. In ways I never really got it before.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that recognizing and fleshing out the journey, and individual growth, and identity of a character over time allows for richer, more genuine relationships, both in life and in the people we create as artists and storytellers.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

038 - That the Horse Was Never Walking Forward Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that an optical illusion on Instagram was actually a conformity test in disguise … and by the way, I never saw that horse as walking forward.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that conformity can sometimes cloud our true perceptions, making us question our own real interpretations in favor of the majority's view. And that’s almost never good for an artist.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

037 - Bruce Hughes, Playing in a Different Band Dec 01, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that the bass player in one of my favorite bands local bands, Bruce Hughes, was playing bass in a different band I saw onstage this weekend. It occurred to me that very few people would have any idea who he was before he got on stage, and that got me thinking about adding a character like him – someone with a very small amount of local fame – to my current book.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that small pockets of fame or recognition can shape a character's self-worth, desires, and interactions. They can be a powerful motivator or a haunting reminder for characters in stories.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

035 - That We Take Our History On Faith Nov 27, 2023

Show notes

Today it occurred to me, after watching Silo on Apple+, how strange it would be to not know the history of your civilization (because that’s how it is in the show). It got me thinking: Are we really as sure about our history as we think we are?

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that our beliefs, more than reality, shape our present and future … and in art and storytelling, perceived truths can be more powerful than the actual truth.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

034 - How Hard Handstands Are Nov 24, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed how it takes a long time to learn how to do a handstand. At age 47, it’s a ridiculous thing to pick up, but I've been doing it. And I've noticed that it requires lots of patience and lots of practice, and lots of getting over fears. But it's also about perfectly finding balance in a new position – something we do all the time while standing on our own 2 feet.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that embracing new challenges, no matter our age or experience, teaches us the universality of balance in both art and life.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

032 - That a Water Pitcher Won't Fit Inside a Mini-Fridge Nov 20, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned, when I went to buy a filtered water pitcher for my son for college, that you can't fit a pitcher inside of a mini fridge.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that the minutiae can make or break the credibility of your work. My pitcher example is a really small, really ridiculous Noticing, but it exemplifies the need for getting details right in fiction, because getting them wrong can ruin a story. Attention to detail isn't just about accuracy. It's about authenticity.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

031 - That Big Ideas Are Too Big Nov 17, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that the more interested I am in an idea, the bigger it becomes and the more daunting it therefore becomes. The result is that I procrastinate and stop myself before I get started.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that complex ideas, while exciting, can sometimes lead to paralysis due to overwhelm. Simplifying or breaking these ideas into manageable chunks is therefore something I should maybe try to get better at … and it’s not an approach I like much, so I’m wary but willing because learning is all about trying something new.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

029 - How Much I Really Wanted to Use One Specific Image Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

Today I had a blog post image that I really liked, for the blog post that will be on the same topic as this episode, but didn't have a pre-existing Noticing to go with it. And so I decided that maybe the image itself could act as a Noticing: that I could start with the image, then pull a whole story idea from it. The image was of a woman behind a bunch of glass bottles. They seemed illicit to me, like bootleg alcohol or drugs in liquid form.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that images, even in isolation, are rich sources of inspiration. By analyzing and delving into their details, we can extract entire narratives, themes, and worlds, expanding our repertoire of storytelling tools.

WANT MORE?Members get extra episodes of the podcast, extra companion blog posts (see below), and more every week … all for the price of a fancy coffee. Learn about membership here.

Prefer reading?Listening to the Art of Noticing podcast is only one way to get these lessons. Every episode of the podcast also has a complete companion blog post, all of which you can find here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit johnnybtruant.substack.com

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