The Art Of Noticing

The Art of Noticing

I once spent a day with a dozen seventh graders. They were part of an academic adventures program for accelerated students, and I was their creative writing instructor.

I was more than a little nervous—seventh graders aren’t exactly my strong suit, and I don’t believe writers can be forcefully made. Even so, I’d prepared a full array of visual instruction, reading, and writing exercises that I hoped would help us to at least discover what gifts might be lurking underneath, without anyone falling asleep.

When I learned the two pediatric dental residents across the hall were going to teach their would-be dentists to make impressions of their own teeth, I felt sure my budding writers would bolt. To the casual observer, writing is more than a little like watching wet paint dry.

For our first exercise, I placed several random items from my kitchen junk drawer in the center of each table, asked the students to select one thing each, and gave them two minutes to write a detailed description of the item they chose. It was fun to watch them turn the items over in their hands, shake and sniff them, then pick up their pencils and begin to write.

For the next six and a half hours, we created characters. Described settings. Examined the elements of plot using children’s books. As we gathered for our last reading, one boy asked when we’d begun that morning. I told him 9:45. “It’s gone by so fast,” he said. “I’m not ready to leave.” I could have kissed his untied tennis shoes!

Because they were looking to me (and to each other) for a glimmer of affirmation, I listened more carefully that day than I have in a long time. My seventh-grade scribes reminded me that we all long to be heard. And we hope for someone to acknowledge our efforts, even the tentative, unpolished ones.

Could someone in your world be pining for a thoughtful word or a spark of encouragement? Could you give them the gift of noticing?

A wise person gets known for insight; gracious words add to one’s reputation. . . . Gracious speech is like clover honey—good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body.

Proverbs 16:21, 24, MSG