Perception is the mother of invention

Yes, I know that's not how that saying goes. I like mine better because it actually goes with my post.

As a writer, you should take hints and story aspects from the world around you. I'm not saying you should base your villain off of your Aunt Betsy -- that never ends well. I am saying that sometimes you'll hear a random bit of conversation while waiting in line at the coffee shop and you can write the words spoken and the way with which the people interact. You can use that obnoxious customer at the front of the line as part of character building for either your hero (dealing with them) or a side character or experience. 

As I write this, my Vizsla Daisy is snoring away from her resting spot between my legs on the footrest of my chair. I make fun of her because she'll do it with her eyes open sometimes.

Watching and listening to the dogs has given me descriptions to use in stories, not unlike today. Sometimes it is the exaggerated aspect of what we hear or see, but sometimes it is the simple experiences that we can equate for a reader to understand. Perception in writing/stories isn't just about what one feels or hears or sees. Perception is how you can make your reader feel, hear, or see the same thing you do. We cannot live in a vacuum and assume that all of our experiences directly translate. We must find a way to link them to something meaningful for the person reading our words. Perception is distinct to each person, but we all share some experiences and that's what writers need to rely on to create meaningful words to share.

So today, my dog is a monstrous beast about to annihilate an entire crew of people. Her snores are not gentle exhalations, but growls of hunger coming from deep within her dark maw. Her little snorts are not the fact that she's a breed that suffers from allergies, but the sound she makes as she hurriedly chews her victims; gulping one down after another.

When she wakes up, I need to remember to give her a treat. I'd hate to have that beast sneak up on me at night. ;)