Writing - People Watching

 While out this afternoon, I discovered another situation that could lend itself to providing sources of inspiration for future writings. All you need to do is observer a crowd of people and you will soon see a host of possibilities as to the type of characters you might wish to see in one of your stories. Obviously, the situation of the crowd and their purpose for being in place will vary. 

What you actually see today was unusual because it was the congregation at a funeral and so there were certain similarities across the room. Most people were dressed formally, mostly in dark colours, and all looking well-scrubbed. There was every type of person in a room of about two hundred. There were couples, there were single people, and there were families. There were very old people and there were young children; each one of them having their own agenda.  All with their own response to the situation. By applying a little imagination you can soon attach interpretation to their expressions.  

At a funeral, as you would expect, the mood was sombre and respectful. However, if you apply similarities observational techniques to diverse scenarios it is easy to see the value in this type of people watching. Next time you are at a sporting event, the theatre or cinema, you’ll see people at their best and occasionally their worst. Holiday time is upon us where there will be plenty of partying, and where alcohol may have an effect, observe participants.

In crowds people behave atypically and observing friends and acquaintances in different situations can be eye opening,  but be discrete. 

God Bless