At a workshop recently, I met a really interesting woman. When I returned to my group of friends, I told them about her and turned to point out this terrific woman in her pink top. We searched the room. No pink top. Everyone sat. No pink top. I totally turned out the next speaker becasue I couldn't believe I couldn't find her. She`d mentioned she was looking forward to the next workshop so I knew she hadn`t left.
I finally spotted her. I'd looked at her and past her several times. Hadn't recognized her. She was wearing a black top. Black. Not pink.
Of course my friends thought it was hilarious. I laughed too - life is too short not to laugh it up when you have the chance! But later I wondered how I had made the mistake. I hadn`t recognized her face several times, but I could tell you all about her life, her approach to teacher and even her parenting style.
I think it's another example of my global brain. I tend to look at the big picture in everything I do. I know instinctively when someone is having a tough time, the kids at school think my ability to understand them is kind of spooky. I know who will be friends, who won't get along. I know when they haven't eaten, when they don't understand a topic and when they need to let off steam or have a shoulder to lean on. I know when they`re going to blow and can almost always stop it.
How? Don't have a clue. When pressed I can come up with some body language cues but that's about it. I think my brain just absorbs the big picture and translates it for me.
On the flip side, don't ask me what anyone wore today. Don't ask me to notice a new haircut... or colour. Those are the little details the more linear brains seem to notice.
In my writing I do the same thing. I work from an emotional level. Anyone reading my stuff should get a good feel for the characters - should know them, should be able to anticipate their reactions. But they might be hard pressed to describe them. Because I don't. Hardly at all.
Although I'm fairly artsy, the visual details aren't always noticed and rarely make it into my writing.
What about you? Are you a 'big picture' or 'little detail' kind of writer?
On another note, I've got a few fine folks to thank.
Two terrific ladies, Charmaine Clancy at Wagging Tales and Laurel of Laurel`s Leaves, passed the Blogger Buddy Award my way. Did they know how pretty it would look on my blog?
The lovely Lydia Kang at The Word is My Oyster awarded me the Sweet Blogger Award.
Please do yourself a favour and check out these awesome ladies and their wonderful blogs. You'll most definitely enjoy the visits :)
Enjoy a fabulous long weekend everyone. At least everyone in Canada. Is it a long weekend anywhere else?
