A Writer's Words - Stir Your Childlike Curiosity

Hocus Pocus and All That 

Maureen L. Bonatch 

Stir Your Childlike Curiosity 

It seems that as we get older we tend to notice things less. Our lives are busy, our minds are always churning away at what we need to do today, tomorrow, or what we did yesterday. Being more observant, and curious, can enable us write better stories, make little changes in our lives, and maybe experience life more fully. 

Wearing Blinders

Often we go through each day wearing blinders, sometimes to the point that we’re so immersed in our routines that we might wonder if we completed a routine task—or if that was yesterday as time blends together.

Children usually go through their days blinder-free, filled with curiosity and the tendency to notice everything. Here are just a few examples of how my girls used to remove my blinders when they were younger.

Twins: “When did you go to New York?”
Me: (At the time, I’d never been to New York.) “I haven’t.”
Twins: “Then why do you wear that shirt that says New York on it all the time?”
Me: Confused. “I don’t.” Sure enough, I realized one of my favorite shirts said New York—I wore it all the time but never realized that.

Twins: “I know what your favorite room is.”
Me: “What?”
Twins: “The laundry room, because you’re always in there.”
Me: Vows to get out of the laundry room more.

Twins: “I know what your favorite color is.”
Me: Thinking they will say mauve, black or purple. “What?”
Twins: “Green. Most of your shirts are green.”
Me: Checks closet and vows to go shopping soon.

Me: “Have a good time at daycare.”
Twins: “Why can’t we stay home today with you?”
Me: “I’m going to work.”
Twins: Wailing. “No you’re not, you’re not wearing your work clothes.”
Me: …Caught in a fib.

Taking Off The Blinders

We spend a lot of time in our home, or other personal spaces, and tend to stop truly seeing things other than what we expect to see. Gain a fresh perspective on your life, personal space, or your story, by taking off your blinders, thinking out of the box, or opening the door for something more than ordinary.

Allow your childlike curiosity to guide you and ask “why” or consider what might be possible when:

You’re world building in your story, or adding some unique character traits

You’re spending time at home, or other usual places and look around with a fresh eye, or from a different angle by standing or sitting somewhere new. Maybe things could be reorganized better, or colors might not match, or would look better in another area or room. This might allow you to make something old look new again.

You don’t have to be a child to embrace the extraordinary, and believe in magic. You just have to look a little closer.

*Article previously featured on the Here Be Magic Blogspot

© 2020 Maureen L. Bonatch All Rights Reserved
Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. http://www.maureenbonatch.com/