What's your Superpower?

The other day, a total stranger paid a really nice compliment to a cover I designed. (It hasn't been released to the public yet). 

My very favorite part about designing is being able to glean the essence of the book and put that nebulous quality on a cover. It's such a subtle thing, but if I can pull it off, it makes a big statement.

You might think my superpower is being a good designer, but that's only a side effect of my real superpower. I happen to have killer observational skills...that is, when I choose to pay attention. LOL.

Alas, I'm oblivious to most things around me unless I want to notice. I think it's a safety mechanism for me so I'm not drowning my brain with too much information.

When I do notice, I discover some amazing nuances. That's why Greg thinks I read minds. In reality, I just happen to notice body language and the subtle inflections in people's voices. 

It's the same gift that helps me anticipate sickness with my animals. I can tell before they show outward symptoms that something is not right. It's saved a life on more than one occasion so I'm particularly glad about this 'superpower'.

Greg thinks that's why we've managed to keep old Tank alive for as long as we have. I hope so.

If only I was that aware about myself. Believe it or not, I haven't gotten rid of this cold or whatever it is I've got. It's better, but I've already had two rounds of antibiotics and it's still lingering. I'm afraid it might be strep, which always kicks my butt and throws me to the curb.

Your turn. Dig deep. What's your superpower? Is there a superpower you wish you had?

Me, I've always wanted to being able to eat anything I want without gaining weight. :grin:


Comments

B.E. Sanderson said…
Eating without gaining weight would be an awesome superpower. I don't have a superpower. I might love your powers of observation because sometimes I'm kinda clueless. Although, I can spot critters in the wild with amazing accuracy. I'd love to have the ability to remember everything I saw or heard with perfect recall. That'd be cool.
Mike Keyton said…
Acute observational skills eh. I shall remember that. I have no 'super-power' except, perhaps, happiness.

Keep knocking back the antibiotics - and finish the course. :)
Angela Brown said…
I'm sorry to hear your illess still has its grubby hands you. But continued diligence with your care should soon have it yelping away in defeat.

I wish I could say I have a super power of some sort. I know how to get super angry, super sad, super happy over the tiniest of things and make myself super busy...but I don't see a super power in any of that lol!!!

The super power of a high metabolism would really be preferred to the extremely slow one I have now :-)
Stacy McKitrick said…
Not surprised about the compliment to your design work. I LOVE your covers!! And especially the one you did for me. Can't wait to show it off to everyone!

My superpower? Some might say it's the ability to put up with my husband. Haha! I think it's having patience, which I tend to have MOST of the time (yes, there are times when I lapse).

Although, I wouldn't mind having that superpower of high metabolism that Angela mentioned. Heck, I'd be happy with the metabolish I had two years ago! Oh well...
I want the same super power you do, eat anything.
If I have a gift, it's to look at something and know how it works, how it's put together. I can take anything apart and remember how to put it back together. I should have been a mechanic or engineer.
Sarah Ahiers said…
I also have pretty good observation skills, especially regarding my surroundings and a pretty good sense of direction.
I've never once been lost.
My super power is loving my puppies and keeping them totally spoiled.

;O)
I have super stubbornness and persistence. Really helps with getting the writing done.

Hope you feel better soon!
Maria Zannini said…
BE: Considering my sieve-like memory, perfect recall would be awesome. I hate forgetting things.
Maria Zannini said…
Mike: Remember I said when I choose to pay attention. Unfortunately, most of the time I walk around distracted. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Angela: There's something to be said for wearing your heart on your sleeve. It means you can never be false. I like that trait. :)
Maria Zannini said…
Stacy: I learned patience by force. Ha! I'm not a patient person but I've hurt myself enough to know it doesn't pay to rush.
Maria Zannini said…
Susan: That's an awesome power. My husband can do the same thing, although I don't think it's because he remembers where something went but because he can figure out what needs to go where for it to work.

Either way, I can't do it. I rely on the generosity of smarter people.
Maria Zannini said…
Sarah: I get lost easily, usually because I'm distracted by something shiny. But I've always enjoyed getting lost. I've discovered the neatest places this way.
Maria Zannini said…
Mac: You do an excellent job of spoiling. I'm sure your dogs rate you A++.
Maria Zannini said…
Sandra: Amen. All writers need that stubbornness. It's too hard a job otherwise.
Jenny Schwartz said…
You totally have that observational superpower, Maria. I think great artists do.

As for eating whatever with only healthy consequences -- that would be awesome.

I stopped to think about what my superpower is, and I think I make an amazing audience. Once my attention is hooked, I don't multitask, I'm there!
Maria Zannini said…
Jenny: I think most creative people are naturally observant. How else can we describe emotion and hunky heroes in our stories? :)
I curse you for that weight one. I have a super sniffer. Friends invite me over when they're thinking of buying a new house so I can detect old cat urine or mold or such. I'm often paid in lunch. It's all good.
Maria Zannini said…
Barbara: LOL. Greg calls me a canary because I can always detect an offending odor before he can. I'm probably not as good as you. No one's ever asked me to check out a new house. :D
LD Masterson said…
Well, this is really frustrating. I remember comment on this post via my phone a couple days ago but it's not here. I don't remember what I said but I'm certain it was insightful or witty or probably both.

(Is willpower considered a superpower? I could really use some of that.)
Maria Zannini said…
Linda: Only the most insightful comments are lost in the ether.

My phone loses comments too, so I've stopped using it. I'm not sure why some don't go through. I think it depends on whether I'm signed in or not.