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| Image courtesy of Good Eye Might / flickr.com |
For a writer, overheard snippets of conversation can be nuggets of creative gold. Not only can listening to the way people talk to each other help us when writing dialogue, but the things they say can spark some pretty great stories or plot twists too. I find the best snippets come when you can only hear one side of the conversation, leaving you to fill in the blanks and figure out who they are talking to and what it's all really about.
A few years ago one site (bugged) even ran a UK wide eavesdropping challenge. On July 1st 2010 writers in the UK were asked to eavesdrop then write a short piece of fiction based on what they heard and submit it to the site within six weeks. The best entries were then published in a book.
Have you ever used eavesdropping to collect story ideas? Let me know in the comments below, I'd love to hear from you.
I'm going to be away on holiday until 15th April, but I have scheduled all the posts for while I'm away. I will try and log in once a day to check everything is running smoothly and reply to as many comments as I can. If you leave a comment I will visit your blog when I return and reciprocate. Happy A to Z'ing.
I love eavesdropping! Makes you feel like a spy or something, lol. It's tied into people watching which is also great inspiration. One time I overheard a man talking about how his daughter had broken her leg on holiday and based a story on that. Enjoy your break (hopefully not literally!) New follower from the Challenge.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick, I think we all like to feel like spies at some point!
DeleteI can't say that I'm much of eaves dropper. But I fully believe my animals are and are secretly writing a book together to show my kids one day.
ReplyDeleteLOL
~Summer
My A-Z
The looks my animals give me, I think they despair at my life completely!
DeleteI people watch. My husband thinks that's creepy enough. Now I want to go eavesdropping :)
ReplyDeleteSimply Sarah
I know what you mean Sarah, I love people watching, I'll be doing plenty of that on holiday this week!
DeleteHello, Alana! The best kind of eavesdropping is while standing in line somewhere or people watching. When I worked in retail I overheard some good things to use in a story. Inspiration is everywhere!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your holiday!
Happy A to Z-ing! from Laura Marcella @ Wavy Lines
Thanks Laura, I bet you heard some great stories in retail!
DeleteIt's amazing how each of our brains fill in what we expect, assume, or as a result of our experiences. This is where we all get in trouble if we are not careful. However, there are times that the bits and pieces just make us laugh. Thanks for the topic as I haven't thought of this for a while. Inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a natural curosity to know what's going on. At least that's what I tell myself as I lean in closer to hear the conversation in the next booth. :)
ReplyDeleteVisiting from the A to Z. http://elizabethwatgibson.wordpress.com
What a great idea for collecting ideas for stories. I don't know if I've ever been much of an eavesdropper, but I certainly take what I see and use that for writing.
ReplyDeleteHave fun with a-z.
Sometimes you can't help but eavesdrop, what with the volume people use while speaking on their mobile phones! :)
ReplyDelete