Danika and I were able to both go to Mike’s house to have a BBQ on Saturday for the 4th of July. He knows a lot of people which was great because it gave me quite a bit of material to work with for my research. I don’t know about you, but I am a people watcher when I don’t have my head buried in a book, or I am not thinking and writing about my book.
Since I don’t go to parties very often, if ever; I brought along my notebook and pen figuring this was a perfect opportunity to do some “research.”
I was getting a drink when one of the girls came over from another table nearby and asked what I was doing with a notebook. So I told her I was just writing down some notes for a book I was working on over summer break. She thought that was a great idea, and I told her I don’t get out that much with school and work, and she said she felt the same way. She was invited by a friend to come and hang out too. Good. Something we both have in common, I thought.
So we started talking about how we both are “people watchers” unless I am thinking about my story of course. She seemed kind and someone I could easily talk to (not like I am normally, where I feel I have to say something or it becomes an awkwardly silent, forced conversation).
I could see Danika amongst a group of hungry looking people around the grill. Talking and laughing, while we sat quietly watching them. It was "small talk" between this new girl and me; she was going on her second year to at the university. She also had been working part-time at one of the stores in town. She wasn’t dating anyone either.
She gave me some names of the other players on the team who couldn’t go to the lunch last week. Some more interviews, possibly? I had told her about the lunch and my interview with them.
Danika waived me over, and I excused myself and joined her by the grill and got introduced to some more people.
I say hello. I think I can remember a couple of their names? I can’t exactly take notes right now, can I? It will have to wait until later tonight.
I watch as some people are swimming, some are dancing to the music. People are laughing and having a great time. To think I have been missing out on this? It isn’t like what I thought at all. I am glad I met Danika; it helps that she is the exact opposite of me. In just a short amount of time, we have become friends. I have met some new people; I have been able to start writing my book this summer, and I think I am finally able to have some fun and just relax a little bit, and it’s nice...to a point! I couldn’t do this all day like my character, James, could. But it’s nice right now, observing people as if I wasn’t there, just watching them from a distance. How they act or move. The way a person smiles. How they dress, the way they dance. The girls who won’t go swimming because they don’t want to mess up their hair or makeup, lol.
Just going up to someone and asking them questions isn’t normally something I would do, but after Danika suggested it last week by giving me the idea to interview the players and doing some research for my story, I think I kind of I like it. It takes me into a new way of writing I hadn’t thought of before. Although I have seen other authors do this; it is new to me, though.
I guess if you are going to be an author, you also have to learn how to ask the right questions and speak to the right people.
Well, I am about done with my outline for my book. I think I have enough material to redo the beginning chapters correctly. Next week I have been invited by one of the players I interviewed to observe him in some tutoring he does for a rec center with some local kids. I finally chose to go, and now I can hardly wait; I have to see this!
Until next week my dear readers.
.Lily
rings true
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