When I first started writing, I discovered that the same was true for plotting. I tend to think in pictures and it's easier for me to capture the basic story arc in images rather than words. One afternoon, I was flipping through one of the many catalogs that had piled up in my mailbox and I saw an image that brought to mind the story I was trying to plot. Immediately, I started making connections I hadn't thought of before and took notes. But I also looked for other images that fit into my story. I ended up making collage pages.
It helped to look at the images before I started writing - especially if I'd been away from my story for a while and was having trouble settling back in. Now that Pinterest exists, I tend to rely on that as opposed to cutting pictures out of magazines or catalogs, but there's still something satisfying about busting out the scissors and glue stick.
Here are a couple of pages from past stories.
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Those are cool! I storyboard on Pinterest too (as well as just losing myself in the world of pretty, weird, and yummy). Maybe the flipping and cutting and pasting works the way writing longhand or knitting works for other writers?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I think you might be right. There's something really relaxing about it that allows my mind to wander. And thanks! :)
DeleteWow! Those look VERY inspiring!
ReplyDeleteThe collage route may be more work, but it looks to me like you get a really interesting mix of images. I'm sure the process of flipping through the magazines and choosing what should... or shouldn't make it in helps too.
You must have a crazy wall of inspiration up when you write!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! :) Unfortunately, there's not a lot of wall real estate available, so I use a scrapbook/journal type thing.
DeleteWhat cool story collages. I like to make them, too.
ReplyDeletehttp://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2013/02/rub-dub-dub-read-in-tub.html
Thanks! And please let me know if you ever post them. I'd love to see some of yours!
DeleteI need to do more of this. I think that would prevent me from having so many inconsistencies in my story if I have that visual to refer to. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt really is a helpful method for staying on track. :)
DeleteLOVE these collages. Beautiful. I've always wanted to do this-make collage pages for a story I was working on. One of these days I will.
ReplyDeleteAnd I suck at Math too. I am convinced all the evil in the world stems from people trying to make sense out of mathematics. haha
If you do, be sure to post them - I'd love to see them! :)
DeleteYour math theory makes total sense to me! :D
I definitely will. Also, I left you an award on my blog. You don't have to answer any questions or anything. Just stop by to pick it up whenever you want. :)
DeleteAwww, thanks Tamara! :D
DeleteTotally beautiful images. I use a visual diary. One of my favourite pictures was of a group of guys carrying surfboards and I'd written underneath in big excited letters - 'how the Guard Walk!!!'. On so many levels it didn't make sense - I write epic fantasy and my Dragon Guard have never seen a surfboard and I can't imagine any of them in board shorts, and a still photo of course isn't the perfect example of gait - but they way those young guys held themselves - a loose limbed atheletic sort of confidence - it just resonated!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of keeping a visual diary - I may have to adopt that. :) I love how something that has nothing to do with the story can still move it forward or give us new insights.
DeleteVery cool! I think it would be cool to have them framed. Our books are a huge part of us. Years of work. We've poured our souls into them. I would love to have a visual reminder of my book hanging on the wall. Of course, I also want my published book with a pretty cover on a shelf. And a framed movie poster. lol. Yes! I want the movie too!
ReplyDeleteFraming them is a great idea! :) But yeah, I'd really like to see my books on a shelf, and hey, I wouldn't turn down a movie poster! :D
DeleteBeautiful. I love your Pinterest boards, too. When I was in high school I used to collage all of my notebooks and binders that way. There's something about the smell of rubber cement for me that's totally Proustian.
ReplyDelete