Read Och Gonzalez’s micro-memoir, “What I Do on My Terrace Is None of Your Business” (or page 45 of The Practice of Creative Writing). Create a scene from your life now set in one room where you live or that you frequent. Focus on observing the people around you. Try to convey the emotion in the piece through the observations about the people or place.
Sample Solution
As I sit perched at my favorite corner in the bustling coffee shop, my senses are overwhelmed by a symphony of sights, sounds, and smells. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingles with the sweet scent of pastries, creating an irresistible olfactory cocktail that draws me in and keeps me lingering. Around me, a tapestry of human stories unfolds, each individual immersed in their own world, oblivious to the silent observer in their midst.
In one corner, a group of students huddles over a laptop, their faces lit by the glow of the screen, their voices hushed in a conspiratorial whisper. They are the epitome of youthful energy, their laughter bouncing off the walls, their minds brimming with ideas yet to be explored.
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Across from me, an elderly gentleman sits in quiet solitude, his gaze fixed on the newspaper spread before him. His face bears the etchings of time, each line a testament to a life well-lived. His eyes, though clouded with age, still sparkle with curiosity, hinting at a mind that remains sharp and engaged.
A young couple occupies a table near the window, their faces aglow with the radiance of new love. They steal glances at each other, their hands intertwined, their bodies leaning into each other's space. Their love is a palpable force, a beacon of light amidst the mundane routine of the coffee shop.
A solitary figure sits hunched over a sketchbook, their pencil dancing across the paper, capturing the essence of the scene around them. Their strokes are fluid, their lines confident, their passion for art evident in every detail. They are the artists, the dreamers, the creators, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.
I observe these individuals, each one a unique puzzle piece in the grand mosaic of life. They are the embodiment of human diversity, their stories as rich and varied as the colors in a rainbow. I am captivated by their resilience, their determination, their ability to find joy and beauty in the midst of everyday chaos.
My gaze is drawn to the barista behind the counter, her hands moving with practiced ease as she prepares coffee for the endless stream of customers. Her face is etched with a hint of fatigue, but her smile remains genuine, her spirit unbroken. She is the unsung hero of the coffee shop, the one who keeps the wheels turning, the one who ensures that everyone gets their caffeine fix.
As I continue my observations, I am struck by the interconnectedness of everyone in this space. We are all bound together by our shared humanity, our need for connection, our desire to escape the confines of our own thoughts. The coffee shop, in its own humble way, has become a microcosm of society, a place where people from all walks of life come together, if only for a fleeting moment, to share a cup of coffee and a glimpse into each other's worlds.
I leave the coffee shop feeling refreshed, my spirit invigorated by the stories I have witnessed. The faces, the voices, the emotions – they will linger in my mind long after the aroma of coffee has faded. I am reminded that even in the simplest of settings, life unfolds in all its messy, beautiful, and unpredictable glory.