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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:

013 - Why the New Whataburger is a "Digital Kitchen" Oct 06, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that near where I live, the fast food chain Whataburger opened a "digital kitchen." From what I understand, it means that you can't go inside; you can only order things online and then pick them up. I wondered why they would use a prime spot for something where you can't even sit down inside, but then I learned that it exists to get around a sort of "restaurant curfew" in the area. Restaurants have to close by 9 PM … but there is a loophole for something like this, where you can stay open later if people aren't actually going inside and sitting down.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that constraints, whether they are rules, guidelines, or unexpected challenges, can often spur the most innovative solutions. For writers and artists, it serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most compelling narratives or art arise not in spite of limitations, but because of them. It's about navigating the framework we're given and finding inventive ways to tell our stories or convey our message in whatever new and interesting ways we can.

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

011 - How Weird it is that We Have Animals in Our Homes Oct 02, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed how strange it is that we have animals living in our houses … as pets, sure, but it’s still weird. It may seem normal, but the idea of just having animals living in our human family, in our house, is really weird if you stop and think about it.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that in any world or setting we create as writers and artists, it's crucial to remember that what seems “normal” to one group might seem entirely “abnormal” to another. This can lead to rich world-building, layered character dynamics, and intriguing conflicts. Embracing the bizarre in one setting can remind us to always challenge our perceptions of normalcy both in our created worlds and in our daily lives.

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

010 - That I Always Wake Up at 3am on the Dot Sep 29, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that I've started to wake up at 3AM pretty much every day. That used to be a loose rule, but now it seems to be exact. I might wake up before or after, but I almost always wake up at 3AM on the nose whether there is something on my mind to preoccupy me or not.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that maybe my patterns and rhythms, whether natural or ingrained, sometimes show up when I least expect them. They might hint at underlying themes or consistencies in my life, reminding me that even in chaos, there is order. Turning to creativity, maybe this Noticing could inspire me to find or create patterns and rhythms within my work, making it more resonant or intriguing to my readers.

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

008 - That TV Acting is a Feat of Multitasking Sep 25, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned from some of the actors on the Reginald The Vampire TV show that when you are acting for TV, maintaining continuity is a nightmare, especially when props are involved. They have to do the exact same actions in the exact same ways every single time as the scene is shot and re-shot for different angles. Even without props, body language needs to be exactly the same, and body language isn't normally something you think about consciously. When actors cross or uncross their arms, that creates all sorts of additional variables that they then have to duplicate exactly in all subsequent shots going forward. TV acting isn’t entirely a right-brain activity. It requires a lot of left-brain, too.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that crafting a piece of art often requires a balance between intuition and precision. While acting is a deeply emotional and expressive art form, maintaining continuity reminds adds a technical element as well. The meticulous repetition of actions for different shots requires a whole lot of detailed attention. This can be extrapolated to any creative endeavor: While the overall theme, emotion, or message of any art form is crucial, it's often the finer details and consistent repetitions that make or break the final product. Great art often demands both spontaneous creativity and methodical precision.

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

007 - The Laugh Track in a Sitcom That Was There All Along Sep 22, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned a sitcom my wife and I have been watching had a laugh track all along, despite my suddenly noticing it and being totally offended by the dumb inclusion of a laugh track in a modern sitcom. It had just … vanished beneath my level of awareness.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that perception is highly influenced by our expectations, prior experiences, and the context in which we engage with content. Just as I didn't notice the laugh track initially but then was startled by it later, creators should be aware of how subtle changes (or even consistent elements) can have different impacts on different audiences at different times, no matter whether they’re consistent or not. Human attention is, it turns out, malleable, and even a constant element in a story might be perceived differently based on the viewer's state of mind or context. Creators should remember that predictability isn't always guaranteed, and audiences can surprise you with what they notice … and what they overlook.

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

006 - That Only a Tiny Area of Our Visual Field is Actually In Focus Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned from a recent episode of a The Huberman Lab podcast that in truth, only an area the size of your thumbnail, when viewed at the end of your outstretched arm, is actually in focus at any given time.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that our perception is not the same as reality. Just as our eyes sample bits of our environment and rely on our brain to create a cohesive picture, we should remember that our understanding and interpretations of experiences, stories, or pieces of information are often decided by which fragments we focus on.

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

005 - That Exercise Might Be as Effective as Antidepressants Sep 18, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned that although I'm obviously not a doctor and that nothing here should be construed as medical advice or even a definite fact, I heard on a podcast recently that exercise seems to be about as effective in terms of alleviating depression, percentagewise across a large group sample, as SSRI antidepressants. Psilocybin is apparently something like two or three times as effective.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that any dilemma like this, including and especially in fiction, raises some very interesting moral and ethical considerations. What if in a fictional world, a powerful but controversial remedy was discovered? How would societies react? How would it be regulated? There’s such a wonderful chain of possibilities to unravel.

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? And not the transcripts, which are a tab at the top here by the way?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

004 - That Emotional Limbo is a Thing Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned that even if you know what makes you sad, angry, or otherwise triggered into negative emotions, that doesn’t mean you automatically accept the negative emotions that will keep coming from them even after you understand their cause. Instead, there’s a limbo phase while your old triggers dissolve. Minimizing personal pain means accepting the emotions, not resisting them.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that in storytelling and art, as in personal growth, it's essential to honor the journey as much as the destination. When telling a story, it's tempting to rush characters through their growth arcs, pushing them from problems straight into resolutions. The real depth, though, comes from exploring that middle ground. “Limbo” is often where the heart of the story lies.

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? And not the transcripts, which are a tab at the top here by the way?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

002 - That Stephen King Doesn't Remember Writing Cujo Sep 11, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned from Stephen King's book On Writing that King spent his early career as an alcoholic and drug addict. His description of those years sounds like a haze and a hell for him, but he also produced some great work. King was so drunk and high while writing some books, he barely remembers them ... and that in particular, he doesn't remember writing Cujo at all.

The creative lesson I took from that Noticing is that Writing, like all forms of art, taps into a space deeper than our conscious minds. It can be a transcendent process where the writer becomes a mere conduit for a story that’s demanding to be told. Sometimes, our conscious selves are only spectators to the things our subconscious minds can create.

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? And not the transcripts, which are a tab at the top here by the way?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

001 - That I Should Start a Podcast Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

Today, I learned that I should start a podcast. There wasn’t really a creative lesson … or, rather, the creative lesson is baked right into the idea of starting a podcast in the first place. Because the podcast IS creative lessons. Get it? It’s like Inception.

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? And not just the transcripts, which are also here by the way? 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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