Writing About Belief, Superstition, and Rituals

Or: I Knock on Wood So You Don't Have To

This is part of my “Art of Noticing” series, in which I learn, find, or discover the things around me that usually go unnoticed and turn them into an endless source of creative inspiration.

NOTE: The last of these “Noticings” blog posts will run on April 13th. I’m going to keep recording the 9-minute daily podcast on which these posts are based, though, so if you want to keep your dose of daily Noticings, be sure to subscribe to the Art of Noticing podcast here on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

(You could also listen here on Substack, but that’s a miserable way to listen to a podcast so I don’t recommend it. Do yourself a favor and use a podcast app so you can listen on your commute or at the gym or something.)

I don’t have OCD. Actually having it sounds like it’d really suck. I do, however, have a handful of compulsive tendencies that don’t strictly make sense, and I’m now trying to roll with them instead of dismissing them as irrational.

I’m calling it character research.

I don’t have to have things just so, but I do really really prefer it in some cases. Tearing off only part of a paper towel really sucks. I always correct that one. And I do need to knock on wood to avoid jinxing things, though I decided to take a page from the Brits and simply touch wood instead.

I know it’s silly, but I’m not the only one. And that’s when I started to think, “Why haven’t I ever had superstitious characters? Why haven’t I written quirks and rituals like my own into a book yet?”

Time to get a little bit more real, I think.

Here's how this "noticing" can influence my stories and art:

Incorporating Superstitions into Characters

Characters with unique superstitions or rituals — like my wood-knocking, and especially the bargains I’ll make with myself like, “To avoid a lot of knocking, this knock will last until midnight” — feel REAL. Adding them can make characters more relatable. You can add quirks, fears, and desires, etc.

Incorporating that kind of stuff into characters also lets us explore themes like fate, destiny, and the human need for control. It can add a touch of whimsy or depth to the story, depending on how superstitions are portrayed and their impact on the character's decisions and life.

Superstitions as Plot Devices

Superstitions can work as plot devices, creating tension, conflict, or even comic relief. They can also serve as catalysts for action: influencing characters' choices and the direction of the story.

Example: Criminal characters have left the scene of a crime, but then one has to sneak back — and gets caught — because he didn’t throw salt over his shoulder before finishing the crime.

Adding the Power of Belief and Ritual

Superstitions are simply a branch of belief, and belief, regardless of where it comes from, play a big role in how people perceive and interact with the world.

By exploring these aspects in stories, you can talk about psychology, culture, and the ways in which beliefs shape our actions and understanding of the world. You can talk about the universal human experience of seeking meaning and control in life.

Superstitions and rituals are more than just quirky traits; they're windows into the human psyche and culture. Adding them is a good way to add personality to a story, and yet one more tool in the toolbox.

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