Someone I like very much said, she’s more and more amazed at the wide variety of people I meet and write about.
It’s really because I pay attention to what’s around me, 
and there’s plenty, if you do.
Just this morning, a woman…clearly a tourist the way she was packed with shopping bags and a lunch basket, was filming two cardinals in the park, preening in a tree. I watched her delight, as she steadied her camera. Then a female came she didn’t see, so I said, ‘M’am,” that after looking up, inspired her to film the lady of the house as well. All this en route home from Bed Bath & Beyond, using my 20% coupon.
Ta-da…an instant, unexpected essay.
I actually love the genre of taking a subject, then penning a piece on it.
Nora Ephron was my first essayist that made me want to be one. Then came Jean Kerr, David Sedaris, Sarah Vowell, Paul Rudnik and Anne Lamott.
They taught me, you could write about anything. No one said it would all be brilliant, but it’s fun just the same.
If you said, write about hotdogs, the first thing I’d quote is my favorite New Yorker cartoon. Two hotdogs are standing in an alley when one says to the other, “They grilled me Eddie, but I didn’t talk.”
That’s where reading comes in, collecting files that float, for free, in your head.
I’ll bet if you go take a stroll, a pad and pen in your pocket, you’ll come back with a story.
See, I’ll write about practically anything, because, well, I just so LOVE to write.
“They grilled me Eddie, but I didn’t talk.” 🙂
SB
Susannah, it’s hard to believe how many people don’t observe what goes on around them. It constantly surprises me when I bring up a memory that various friends have no recollection of, not even as I remind them of details. I’m talking about noteworthy happenings. It makes me wonder if the majority simply erase the past as they glide through life.
Keep on chronicling the snippets of life, Susannah. And I agree that it is possible to write about anything.
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I love your phrasing…snippets of life, and that’s really all they ever are. A memory, a recollection. An impression made in one’s mind. I think it’s what inspires us to want to write in the first place.
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It’s not a good day to be talking about being aware of what’s around you. I reversed into my pal’s car this morning. 😦
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Yeah, but think of the story you could write Mick!!! 🙂
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It will be a tale of woe. Probably circa $500. No birthday pressy for me this year!
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Oh Mick…life’s short, and accidents do happen. Main thing is you’re okay.
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People are fascinating, sometimes in a good way and sometimes not but they can all trigger a good story!
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Hence, Sunday’s Random 5….:)
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Well, Susannah, that nails it! You can write about everything and almost nothing! My hat would be off to you if it weren’t so cold here.
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Very, very funny Lady Anne…and it was nice paying homage to her…:)
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I will curtsey toward NY, my fine friend.
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Don’t forget to wear your sneakers. 🙂
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Yeewww! That is totally incongruous. I know. I’ll sneak the sneakers off before the curtsey.
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Every day there is a story, sometimes it’s a paragraph sometimes it’s novel. Great advice!!!
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Sometimes I feel my little tales bore those who peruse my blog. What can I say? Any reason to write is a good enough one for me. Always nice to read what you have to say Top. 🙂
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They don’t bore me, actually, they have inspired me to start taking notes. This inspired to do a quicky this morning! Well done Grasshopper, well done.
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You just picked me right up there Top. Thanks. I’m now above sea level…:)
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Yippee!
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That’s all it takes Kemosabe.
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Comic was funny. Your post was wonderful. It made me stop and think about my own writing. I do so need to get back to the horror shorts, but, in the meantime, I am putting a few note pages and a pen in my satchel…who knows?
Scott
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Excellent!
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After writing for so long, I agree that anything can be made into a story. That’s why writing is so much fun. It lets you clothe any event in your own perspective. 🙂
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Nicely put 🙂
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