Dangerous and Observant: A Guide to Spying

When I was young(er) I wanted to be a spy, but I could never figure out how. I have looked up surveillance and being a detective, etc. on the internet, but I cannot find anything that really helps my creativity/longing to be a dangerous and observant person. Someday I will have to write a book on this, but for now, I have a short list just to expand my thoughts on the subject. 

Observe

I cannot stress this enough. Watch the things around you. Train yourself to remember unusual activities. If you don't notice things, you will probably miss important clues when your abilities are put to the test.

Wonder

After you notice an activity that is a little strange, set yourself the task of finding out why. This doesn't need to include any actual work or research, just a little brain power. Why did your neighbor close his curtains at 3 PM? It could be because of the sun, or...something else.

Read Body Language

Body language is important. Even if someone is lying, his brain will likely be working so hard that he won't have time to react to things, or regulate his body language to what he is saying. Do his emotions match the sad story he's listening to? Does he smile later than everyone else laughs after the joke? Often, a liar will be either fidgety or unnaturally still.

Listen

Is someone being vague when they answer you? They may be lying, or they could have forgotten.

Pay attention to the sounds around you. Perhaps the person talking to you is trying to distract you from something in the next room.

That's all I have now. Hint: I wouldn't recommend wearing all black. It may make you feel dangerous, but it won't help you be undercover. It will make you more obvious than not if you're wearing black clothes and shades. 

Aaand if you want young adult novels that have spies in them, you should read the Kiki Strike series. It's pretty great.

~The Dryad