My 6-year old self would have been over the moon to get Astronaut Barbie!

Confession. I’m always in eavesdropping-writer-mode. It doesn’t matter if I’m in an obvious place like the airport, grocery line, or in a diner. My eavesdropping talents also extend to funerals, the dentist, and cough, even Walmart! So what’s with all the eavesdropping? Because you get to listen to snippets of real people having real conversations. And it helps you write realistic dialogue. Yesterday, I overheard something in Walmart that left me smiling with joy and hope for the world. Which is why I want you to write about something you’ve overheard!

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My whirlwind trip into Walmart was meant to be just that. A whirlwind. I had some things to return and I also needed a few collaging supplies. As I was headed to the fabric aisle, a 30-year-old-ish mom and her little boy walked toward me. He was about 3 years old, with short blonde hair. They were having a chat. And just as we walked past each other, I noticed he had an Astronaut Barbie in a box clutched under his arm. (I have always secretly wanted to be an astronaut.)

His mom asked him, “What are you going to name your Barbie?”

The little boy looked at her with a sideways grin and said, “Mom, I’m calling her Barbie!”

She smiled down at him and said, “Cool! I like your choice. It’s nice to keep with the classic names.”

And dear reader, I had to stop in the aisle after they walked past me. I turned to look at them. They happily walked ahead, holding hands, and his Barbie wasn’t going anywhere.

I had tears in my eyes. I was grateful.

For little boys who want a Barbie. For little boys who get a Barbie. For Astronaut Barbie. For good moms who really see their kids. And for the Universe to bring me such a sweet moment that happened in a nano-second.

Even in an unsuspecting place like Walmart.

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It is moments like these that help a writer

All writers eavesdrop. Oh yes, we do.

Because hidden within the folds of daily life?

You can see and hear how people communicate with each other. And the next time you sit down to write a little essay vignette like this? You won’t sound stuffy, stilted, or too romanticized.

And Astronaut Barbie only wants the real deal.

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And Now It’s Your Turn

You’ve probably had a busy week and you’ve been around loads of people, pets, and plants. (Hey, even plants speak if you listen.)

You can see and hear how people communicate with each other. And the next time you sit down to write a little essay vignette like this? You won’t sound stuffy, stilted, or too romanticized.

What just popped into your mind that you overheard?

Where were you? What caught your attention? How did you feel? Why did you remember it?

Write about it for 15 minutes. You’ll be surprised at the layers that reveal themselves.

All because you’re a little writing eavesdropper!

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