The Writer’s Art of Eavesdropping

THE WRITER’S ART OF EAVESDROPPING

I’m nosey. I’ll be the first to admit it. But, when you spend multiple hours each day in a public coffee shop, it’s hard not to be.

As a writer whose home office is frequently overrun with noisy kids, I do a lot of my work from my favorite Starbucks. It’s really the perfect setting. I get free refills on my coffee (which every writer knows is a necessity), and have plenty of choices for both indoor and outdoor seating.

One of my favorite benefits, though, is the incredible conversations I get to overhear.

Now, before you judge me, let me explain… I never sit down, open my laptop, and then actively TRY to eavesdrop on conversations going on around me.

Actually, I generally try not to focus on what is going on around me, and instead put all of my attention into whatever project I am working on.

Frequently, though, those conversations are hard to ignore.

It always blows my mind that so many people are willing to discuss the intimate details of their lives in a public space. What surprises me more, though, is just how loud they discuss those things.

From play-by-play accounts of scandalous affairs to full blown screaming matches, I have heard it all. So much, in fact, that I have considered writing a book about my experiences at the coffee shop.

Through a little google research, I found that I am not the only nosey person looking to unveil the crazy things I hear in public.

This fascinating article from entrepreneur.com features a story about the creator of increasingly popular Instagram accounts, @overheardLA and @OverheardNewYork, and how he gained 2.6 MILLION Instagram followers through his stories of public eavesdropping.

The Instagram account, which features funny quotes that users heard in public, makes me realize that I am definitely not alone in my eavesdropping habits. It also makes me think that writing a book really is a great idea!