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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:

056 - That When I'm Down, I Should Exercise Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Today I noticed that when I'm wrestling with creative roadblocks or feeling emotionally drained, physical exercise often becomes my saving grace. Simply moving my body reignites my stagnant mental state.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that breaking from our usual patterns, whether through exercise or other means, can unblock creative channels. When we shake things up in our routine, it acts as a reset button for our creativity.

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

055 - That Bob Schneider Performs With His Family Jan 03, 2024

Show notes

Today (okay, “recently”), I saw musician Bob Schneider perform with his father and young daughter onstage. It was pretty cool to see how he brought his family into his concert.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that the personal and the professional don't always have to be compartmentalized. Introducing elements of familial relations or personal history into our work can add layers of authenticity and richness.

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

054 - The Arrow Showing Where a Car’s Gas Tank Is Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

Today I learned that most cars have an often-unnoticed small but useful feature: a triangle icon next to the fuel gauge that indicates which side of the car the gas tank is on. If you’ve ever been annoyed by pulling up on the wrong side of the gas pump, the solution’s been there, invisible, all along.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that subtle elements in storytelling and art often go unnoticed, even though they serve a significant purpose. It's a dilemma all of us face: how to balance the overt with the covert, knowing that some of your coolest details might never even be seen by 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

052 - That MSG Isn’t Actually All That Unhealthy Dec 29, 2023

Show notes

Today I learned that despite years of negative public opinion and health concerns, MSG is not as unhealthy as it's been made out to be. The bad reputation it garnered over the years wasn't based on scientific proof but rather a culturally perpetuated myth that refuses to die.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is the enduring impact of first impressions, whether good or bad. This could serve as a reminder to be cautious of how characters or themes are introduced in our stories, as changing a reader's initial perception later might prove difficult.

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

051 - David Komie's Awesome Lawyer Branding Dec 27, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed the billboard of David Komie, an attorney in Austin who breaks the conventional lawyer mold with his dreadlocks and “rocker” appearance. His unique branding makes him appealing to a demographic that might otherwise be disenchanted with the legal process.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that daring to be unconventional in your field can resonate strongly with a particular audience. Artists and writers can benefit from this kind of bold branding, challenging the status quo to attract a devoted following.

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

050 - How Cold I Am at 65 Degrees Now Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that acclimatizing to the extreme summer temperatures in Texas has shifted my comfort range. I've gotten used to to handling days at 105°F, but my tolerance for cooler temperatures — I’m talking a still-warm 65°F — has gone away entirely. It seems we can't extend one end of our comfort range without impacting the other.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that adapting to new creative challenges might make us uncomfortable with what was once familiar. Expanding our capabilities in one area could require a reassessment of our entire creative range.

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

048 - How Good I Am With Names and Faces Dec 22, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that I’m unusually good at remembering names and faces, even for individuals I've met or seen only briefly. I can do it with celebrities, too. It’s dawned on me that most people aren’t that way.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that unique skills, no matter how mundane they may seem to the person who has them, can serve as a form of personal branding. Artists and writers can harness these “superpowers” to stand out and make their work more memorable.

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

047 - Some Profound and Wise Street Writing Dec 20, 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

046 - Stephen King's Unique Writer's Fingerprint Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed, while revisiting old Stephen King novels, that he uses the same distinct phrases and sentence structures over and over and again. They aren't distracting, but they are a unique linguistic fingerprint that makes King's work instantly recognizable.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that repetition isn't necessarily a flaw. In the right context, recurring elements can become a stylistic signature that endears readers to a particular author or artist … and a reminder of what makes you YOU.

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

044 - That Even if Someone's Sad Story is Inspiring, it Still Really Sucks Dec 15, 2023

Show notes

Today I noticed that people often label others as inspiring when they're in a challenging situation. While this might be true and well-intended, there’s a weird double-take that can and maybe should happen when thinking about those “inspiring” folks: thinking of the very real and often terrible struggles the person is enduring, inspiring or not.

The creative lesson I took from this Noticing is that there's a danger in romanticizing struggle and pain in any story or art, even when trying to do it justice. We should strive for authentic portrayals, capturing the nuanced emotions and not just the outwardly “inspiring” facets of hardship.

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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