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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:

028 - The Way I Never Wonder How My iPhone Works Nov 10, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that I don't think about the way that any technology around me works, even though it's all very amazing. We’re all like that, about all amazing things: We just accept the fantastical things around us … usually without wondering or even paying them any attention.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that in any form of storytelling — and especially in genres like sci-fi and fantasy — the unfamiliar or fantastical doesn't always need explicit exposition. Just as we accept modern technology without fully understanding how it works, readers will accept fantastical elements in a story without needing a detailed breakdown if you’ll trust them to do so. Integrating fantastical elements without overt explanation can maintain the story's flow and allow readers to immerse themselves in the narrative's world, accepting its unique norms and wonders … and overtly explaining it, often, can do more harm than good to an otherwise solid big of fiction.

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

026 - That the Different Ages of a Person are Like Different People Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Today it occurred to me that with people I've known for a long time, the person they were back in the day is not the person they are now … as if they are two separate people. In the same way, I am tied to the younger version of myself but I am definitely not still that same person. We share memories, but that “older version of me” feels more like a distant cousin than somebody I actually was. In some cases, I like the older version of a person but know that I might not get along at all with the younger version of that person. But that’s okay because they’re like different people … right?

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that just as people evolve over time, characters within a narrative can me like versions of themselves as well, shaped by their experiences over time. An author can explore and contrast these various "selves" to create depth, allowing readers to connect with different versions of a character. This gives room to portray character growth, regression, or transformation, making stories richer and more relatable.

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

025 - That I Like Paperback Books More Nov 03, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that even though I'm an author whose books are mostly in e-book format, I actually prefer paperback books more when I’m the reader. I’ve also noticed that teenagers around me tend to be the same way … and the other day, my dad just told me the same thing. It feels similar to the way vinyl has had a resurgence in popularity even though digital music is “better” in many ways.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that in our digital age, there might be an under-realized and innate desire for tangible, knock-on-real-wood experiences. It suggests to me that while technology is convenient, there's still a deep-rooted need within us for things we can physically touch and interact with. In storytelling and art, this might suggest that we sometimes make a point to ground our works in tactile details or experiences that resonate with that need in human nature.

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

023 - That An Accent is Just Pronouncing Words Differently Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that we usually call an "accent" in a foreign language is actually just pronouncing words differently than the "official" pronunciation. That's all it is, even though people act like it's some mysterious phenomenon or an elegant vocal tic.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that authenticity in creative works arises not from adhering to a perceived "norm," but instead from embracing unique deviations from that norm. Just as an accent is simply a different way of pronouncing words, our unique perspectives and experiences can be harnessed to give depth and richness to our art and stories, rather than trying to fit into a pre-defined mold.

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

022 - That You Need a Different Capo for a 12-String Guitar Oct 27, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that you need a different, tighter guitar capo for a 12 string guitar. When I bought my 12 string, I tried to use the weaker capo that I use for my 6 strings, but it doesn't work very well because it has to compress a small string right next to a big thick one.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that every task, project, or creation requires specific tools optimized for its unique challenges. “One size fits all” rarely works in artistry or craftsmanship. For creators, this underscores the importance of understanding the nuances of the medium they're working with and ensuring they have the right resources or tools to effectively execute their vision.

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

020 - That Little Big Isn't Always Funny Oct 23, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that the Russian Little Big (which I’d been introduced to by a friend who’d shown me their official music videos) only SEEMS funny in their videos, but that’s not a hard and fast thing. The videos are ridiculous and funny and bizarre, and so I decided "this is a really funny band." But then at some point, the same friend showed me live footage from one of their concerts. Instead of being quirky or funny, it was this big, aggressive, dark and thrashing mosh pit atmosphere with flashing lights. But then I realized that the music was, in a lot of cases, exactly the same. It was the context – funny video versus concert footage - that made the difference in the mood of the music. The exact same music could seem like a joke in one of their videos, or deadly serious when played live. The visual made all the difference.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that the context in which something is presented can dramatically alter the way you see it. A singular piece of work, whether it's music, writing, or visual art, can take on entirely different meanings when framed in different settings. This implies that as creators, the context we choose can completely reshape the audience's experience, even without changing the core content.

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

019 - That LeBron James Teaches Meditation Oct 20, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that basketball player LeBron James has an audio series on the Calm meditation app. I'm not a basketball fan, nor particularly a LeBron fan, but I really enjoyed listening to the series simply because it gave me an insight into how a person at the peak of his field thinks and what how mindset works under pressure, even if it's a field that I have nothing to do with and will never have anything to do with as a participant.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that regardless of the field, the core mindset and principles that drive peak performers are somewhat universal. Their thought processes, discipline, and perspectives can offer rich insights even to people who work in completely different areas. Knowing this can aid in character development … especially when crafting characters at the top of their respective domains.

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

017 - How Mike Was Totally Creeping Oct 16, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned that context in film and TV is everything. While talking to actors on the TV show based on my books, one of them referenced a scene in which one character is shown standing outside the window of a restaurant, looking in. They specifically mentioned that there was no shot showing the character - Mike - walking up to the restaurant, so the joke was that he had just been there all along, creeping on everyone by staring into the window for an endless amount of time. We are supposed to intuit that Mike just walked up to the window minutes before the camera shows him, but that’s not usually the way it works … and so without the shot of him walking up, it really does look on rewatching like he's a peeping tom who’s been standing there forever.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that in visual storytelling (or any form of storytelling, really), what's omitted is just as powerful as what's shown. Sometimes the lack of a scene can shape or misshape an audience's understanding, creating unintentional implications or humor. This phenomenon can be manipulated intentionally for desired effects or narrative tricks.

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

016 - That Some Colleges Like Shorter Middle Blockers Oct 13, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned from someone at one of my daughter’s volleyball games that some colleges now actually preferring slightly shorter middle blockers than the usual super-tall middle blockers that have dominated the sport in the past (and, to be fair, in most cases still today). Not many college coaches think this way, but some do: prioritizing speed (which tends to come harder to very tall people) over sheer height. Since my daughter is still quite tall but also slightly shorter than what is usually preferred for the position, this made me realize that everything evolves and sports are no different … and as anything evolves, nothing is a hard and fast rule.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that all norms are in a state of constant change — sometimes big, sometimes subtle. And just as the game of volleyball may be beginning to value different attributes in its players, the world of art and storytelling in particular thrives on innovation and breaking free of “what’s been done in the past.” Embracing and celebrating what sets people and their creations apart, rather than conforming to established norms, leads to fresh perspectives and groundbreaking work.

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

014 - That Noticing is a Learnable Habit Oct 09, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed a meta-level Noticing. This entire series is about noticing things, but in this particular case it's the noticing itself that I noticed: specifically, that learning to notice things is indeed a learnable habit. I force myself every day to write down something that I have learned or noticed, and it's getting easier and easier to do … “Noticings” popping up all the time in my every daylife.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that just as muscles grow stronger with consistent exercise, our ability to observe and glean insights from our surroundings can be honed and refined. By consciously practicing The Art of Noticing, writers and artists can discover richer layers of inspiration in everyday life, turning mundane moments into profound narratives or art pieces.

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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