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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:

095 - That Yes, This Song Really is About Diazepam Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Today I noticed that yes, a song on my Ren Gill playlist really was called "Diazepam." And yes, it’s about the antidepressant/benzodiazepine of the same name. The song, like may of Ren’s, is all about his struggles with it and with everything else.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the importance of drawing from personal experiences and emotions in creative expression. Being fully yourself — fully real — really is the secret sauce, and forms an amazing connection with the audience.

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

094 - That Horror Movies Are Least Scary in Act 3 Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

Today I learned that in horror movies, the least scary moments are usually in occur in Act 3, which is typically when the protagonist finally confronts the monster. I’m convinced it’s because unknown things (i.e., the monster before we truly see it and the protagonist finally engages it) are almost always more frightening than anything known.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the power of the unknown in creating suspense and fear. In horror and other suspenseful, scary genres, keeping certain elements hidden and/or mysterious can heighten tension because it engages the audience's imagination. You can use “the unknown” to build suspense, making the eventual revelation or confrontation even more impactful. (But no, I don’t know how to make Act 3 more scary, maybe because Act 3 is usually supposed to be more action-packed and climactic than scary.)

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

092 - That I Want to Make Beautiful Books, Too Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Today I realized that after talking to my friend Joanna Penn — who’s been talking a lot about wanting to “make beautiful books” recently rather than just spitting out commodity books — I want to do the exact same thing. I don’t want to just tell great stories, though of course that’s part of it. I also want to make the books themselves wonderful, as part of the larger art.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is about craftsmanship and the personal touch, which is right for me even if it’s not right for you. For me, this might translate into special attention paid to print books (quality materials, unique design, limited editions in time) to delight superfans even as less-artsy books delight casual fans. It’s about creating something that is not only a vessel for stories, but also an object of beauty in its own right.

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

091 - That the Kid Will Be OK Feb 28, 2024

Show notes

Today I noticed the way I keep comparing my college-freshman-son’s new college journey to my own. It wasn’t intended, but my constant instinct is to ensure he does everything “right,” so he won’t forget something important by mistake. What dawned on me recently, though, is that he's is himself; he is not me. That means he’ll find his own way, which is right for him … and I need to trust him to grow and do it on his own. (Which he will, and will do well.)

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the value of letting go and trusting the journey, both in parenting and in writing stories. In writing, I long ago learned to let my characters make their own choices and face their own challenges instead of making them do what *I* think is right, but apparently I still have more to learn. Letting go in fiction is a great thing. It leads to more authentic stories when characters navigate their paths, make their own mistakes, and grow, just like we do in real 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

090 - That I Should Buy Keyboards in Bulk Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

Today I learned how hard I am on keyboards, because I use them so much. (You’re writers, right? I’m sure you can relate.) It’s recently gotten me thinking I should buy more than one at a time, because I go through them like groceries. (I beat up keys, wear the letters off the tops … and end up screwed and unable to work because of it more often than I should.)

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the importance of recognizing and accommodating our tools and habits, like how my heavy keyboard use makes me think I should have a backup. Understanding our unique habits and needs can make us better prepared. The goal is to tailoring your environment and tools to best support your 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

089 - That I Can Also Turn Left Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

Today I noticed that I even though it’s often a pain in the butt to do so, I always turn right when I leave the parking lot of my rock climbing gym. I can go left, though; the option was ALWAYS there in front of me. The way I defaulted so long into a less-than-ideal way of doing things made me wonder. I guess we have a tendency to stick with what we know, even if it means overlooking better ways of doing things.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is how important (or at least interesting) it can be to challenge our habitual patterns and instead consider alternative approaches — both in life and in writing. You might explore different ways of writing (or characters different from your norm), or push past your usual tropes, or you might just try something new in general.

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

087 - That Another Thing Just Ended Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

Today I noticed that my children have finally outgrown our Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating … and maybe carving jack-o'-lanterns, though that might have just been a timing issue this year. It’s time (our youngest is 15) but it still marks the end of a phase. But hey, time passes, and families evolve as it does.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the nature of change and growth within a family setting. Capturing transitional moments in books is a great way to explore nostalgia, the bittersweet nature of growing up, and the ever-changing tapestry of family 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

086 - That Halloween Is Slowly Recovering Feb 21, 2024

Show notes

Today I noticed how Halloween in our neighborhood (which are usually Mardi Gras levels of crazy, but took a hit during Covid) is gradually returning to its former craziness.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the enduring strength of traditions and communal rituals in the face of adversity. In writing, we can show this in how our characters and communities respond to and recover from challenges. The return of familiar customs can symbolize hope, continuity, and the human spirit’s capacity for renewal.

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

085 - How Much We Stood Out Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

Today I noticed that during a vacation in a remote West Texas town, my family and I were immediately spotted as outsiders by the locals when we went shopping in a small general store. We’re fairly normal-looking, so I figured we’d blend in. We did not. The locals were picking up on a million subtle cues and behaviors that we didn’t see, signaling our clear “otherness.”

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the significance of subtlety in the fabric of a community. In writing, we can use tiny details and nuances to show how well or poorly a character fits or misfits a setting. This can be a great tool for exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the nuances of social dynamics in different communities.

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

084 - That There’s No Cellular in West Texas Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

Today I learned that when I was driving through and overnighting in West Texas, I had zero cell service at all. (Verizon. AT&T had service, so you can sort of ignore this if you’re with AT&T and want to be a stickler.) Being disconnected anywhere in the modern world surprised me, but it was also pretty cool. It made me realize how rare and valuable true disconnection has become in our always-online society.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the narrative power of disconnection in a hyper-connected world. In a book, placing characters in situations where they're cut off from their usual digital lifelines can lead to profound self-discovery and character development. (BTDubs, we did this in our future-world story of The Beam. When the superconnected Beam goes out, people freak out and sometimes commit suicide.) And hey, that ignores how good *I* felt not having that digital leash all the time! The whole thing struck me as a reminder of the depth and introspection that you can still get simply by unplugging.

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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