Let’s Talk About Specks….

Specks of memories. Specks of friendships. Specks from my spinach and feta omelette. The little things. The specks or crumbs of life are what snowball into really great stories—whether it be a novel, picture book, or an essay. You cannot ignore the specks. They are everything. Which is why I think writers and artists are so interested in people’s backstories and the reasons for things. People call me nosy. They mistake that for inquisitive. Nosy implies negative intentions. If they think I am nosy, it’s because they are. And how could someone possibly be so interested in people? Ideas? Places? Movement? 

My creative wheels never turn off. My best friends and I talk about this at length. Why do people do what they do? Say what they say? What do they eat for dinner? Why do they like that song? Why do they make certain decisions? This is the stuff of life. The goods. If you don’t get it, it’s okay. You’re likely just more pragmatic and business-minded. People are full of magic and when you dig deeper, you meld your own magic with theirs. You learn. You grow. In my case, you write. Other paint. Some people just apply it to their own life and try to make better choices. 

One of my favorite things to dissect is a song. The sound of it, the little details in the bassline, the harmonies. The lyrics actually don’t mean a ton to me. Unless the way it is sung is dreamy and perfectly matched to the sounds coming out of the instruments. Take this link. This song has the specks. The goods. The stories. LINK

So if you don’t like people’s stories and reasons and quirks, I swear you’re missing out. The world is bigger than you. Than all of us. If you don’t have the time or money to travel, then pay attention to the specks in your daily life. It’s worth the time. 

Elaina