Writing Tip: Visual Stimulation
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- 12/6/2010 |
- 10:00 am
I'm honest with you on the Big Brain Club site, and so let me say this up front: I don't do what I'm about to recommend?
Sound strange? Well, it shouldn't, because what works for me might not work for you, and vice versa. But there are many writers who employ this little trick, and it might really help you a lot. Interested? Here's what I'm talking about...
The concept of positive visualization is not new. In fact, it covers a lot of territory: businesses use it, athletes use it, actors use it... and so do writers.
The idea for most people is that you close your eyes and mentally summon the images. The more you surround yourself with these thoughts, the more likely you are to manifest them.
For our purposes, however, let's try something a little more concrete. Let's actually put up physical images to help us write our stories.
Want an example? Okay. Suppose you're writing a fantasy story, and you intend to include a dragon. Fine. Look in various magazines and find a cool, colorful picture of a dragon in flight. Cut it out, and tape it up next to your workspace. Then, perhaps you want to find a picture of a castle. Cut and tape. What else could put you into the proper atmosphere? Clouds? Fire? Faces showing fear, or determination?
Plaster your work area with these visual images. Suddenly you have created an environment where you're IN your story; you see it, you feel it, you smell it. It keeps your mind from wandering, and it focuses your thoughts on what we've often discussed on The Big Brain Club: using your senses in your writing (see another previous writing tip, 'Using Your Senses'). Now you are living within the story, and it's easier to describe it from the inside.
Every writer is inspired in a unique way. Try surrounding yourself with these visual stimulants, and see what pops out! Have fun!
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Jen
January 22, 2008 6:04 am
I am perhaps the most visually stimulated person that I know. My writing assignments often start with some sort of visual. One of my favorites to pull out is "story in a bag". I put some random object into a Ziploc bag. In class, we dump the stuff out onto the desks and see what starts happening. The first 10-15 minutes is then used to jot down story ideas that are springing to mind. The objects can be varied to fit a season or a particular curriculum, or just totally creative writing. I highly recommend the dollar store for the "stuff"!
