Mr10 left this little message on the back of my notebook. I found it after he left for school this morning. I wasn’t sure whether to be freaked out but, after hastily glancing over each shoulder and determining that he was not, in fact, behind me, I decided that I would instead be inspired.
Always watching.
It sums up one of the key (sometimes overlooked) skills for writers (and one I also wrote about here).
I am always watching. The woman with the large black bag who stole from my local supermarket after pretending she was looking for a lost child. I knew that she hadn’t really lost anyone, she was nowhere near frantic enough.
I am always watching. The little boy I know who tells an outlandish story and peers up at you from under his fringe, looking to see if you believe him, changing the words to match your expression.
I am always watching. The old lady who asks for four lamb cutlets at the butcher’s shop, then catches herself, sighs, and changes her order to two.
Always watching.
I might have this little drawing printed on some Moleskine notebooks and sell them at my (non-existent) Etsy store.
What would you write in yours?
Mr10 seems wise beyond his years.
I think I would have “Always listening” too. I seem to be the one that people tell their stories too. Even people I have just met seem to tell me their most personal things. Apparently Samantha means “listener” though đ
I’d write ‘save me please’ on the back of mine. Your little one is awesome x
I’d also write “always listening” too…to the words of the world, and my inner voice…xx
Love this Al xx
Thanks Kel! You can help me with the design and manufacture of my world-beating notebook range. đ