Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
***
February 5 question - Has a single photo or work of art ever inspired a story? What was it and did you finish it?
Interesting question.
At first thought, my response would be no.
Then I remembered the upcoming WEP prompt and had to go with yes for that piece.
That triggered other thoughts.
I enjoy photography and take a lot of photos of people and our scenery here in gorgeous Northern Ontario. The vast majority of pictures I take are because something triggered an emotional response in me.
I'm a writer who isn't triggered by people or problems first. Instead, it's always the emotion that traps me into a story. That emotion spawns a character feeling that emotion and then the trouble that created it.
Many paintings and photos create those emotions in me, so they probably have triggered more stories and ideas than I realized!
How about you? Anyone else like photography? Anyone else get those gut reactions to images?
46 comments:
It's interesting how everyone interprets and is inspired differently. Situations and ideas inspire me, and I can get those from images, movies, or music.
I'm a photographer but it's been the emotions of dreams that have inspired my fiction writing.
My hubby is really into photography. I love when he takes pictures of ordinary people doing ordinary things. They always make me wonder about the people's back stories, what their lives are like etc.
I love photography, too. :) It's my second favorite creative outlet.
It seems you and I are on the same page when it comes this month's question!
Hi,
I love photography but I get triggered by people. Watching people has me spinning stories.
Wishing you all the best.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Most of the pictures I take are of my cats, so no story ideas there. My story ideas all come from "what if" scenarios, usually brought on by news stories.
I do, but not often enough. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
I'm not a real visual writer but I will need to look at some pictures before writing book 2 in my series. If I ever get there.
I am intrigued that two people now have been inspired by the WEP prompt for this month - a prompt I struggled with (and am still struggling).
I am really looking forward to reading your take on it.
I love art and museums and am always inspired. I've also starting collecting photos for my novels. Deviant art is a great site.
I totally get that. I'm much the same.
Thanks for sharing your process!
Yep. The emotion traps me, too. And I absolutely do have gut reactions to images. Part of the reason why I love photography so much. And Pinterest. :)
Yes, definitely. Music too. Happy IWSG!
Photography is a wonderful way to be inspired. I'm drawn to images of foggy mornings over the lake.
My initial thought was also a 'no', but when I thought about it more, there are many things that inspire, including the visual.
I love photography but I dont get the emotional response that you do. That's pretty cool.
www.alliebock.com
Music definitely does a lot for my inspiration as well!
That's interesting! My dreams are always too scary!
People are endlessly fascinating and those snippets of real life tell so many tales!
It's probably my 3rd - I love playing the piano as well! :)
I thought the same thing when I read your post!!
I love people watching! But I have to tell my Tigger Brain to do it as it's usually lost in the wonderings :)
But the cats are happy with the attention!
I love spinning out the What Ifs!
I'm not super visual either, Natalie. You'll get there - I have complete faith!
Just wait until you read mine though - it is so completely sideways from the prompt!
I need to try that at some point - I've heard so many good things about deviant art!
Probably why I'm such a Gracie fan!
It really is all about the emotion!
Haven't really done Pinterest yet - one day!
Definitely music as well - full of power and emotion!
Those foggy pictures are some of my favourites too - I got a few really good ones this summer!
So true! I don't always know where the stories come from - they are just there attached to that emotion!
I love seeing how different we all are - makes the world much more interesting!
I completely get your emotion-centered approach to stories. So many of my stories started with some sort of emotional confrontation in my head, while I have no idea who are the people talking and why they take the stance they do. That comes later.
As for WEP stories, as I'm the one making badges, I go full circle. First the theme. Then I search for an image that would fit the theme and the possible stories based on that theme. Then I write my own story. So the art and the words create two interconnected layers.
You so echo my thoughts Jemi. Most of my writing is also triggered by emotions..Both poetry and short fiction...Even prose..
Sonia
I also enjoy photography and agree. The images are inspiring.
I'm hopeless at photography but I do appreciate it. A lot of my stories start from an emotion too and the details come together afterwards.
Exactly! That gut punch is the spark and the rest follows!
I hadn't thought of your process for WEP - that's such an interesting angle - you have all those images and thoughts swirling far before you start to write!
Yes! All of my writing is emotion centred too!
They are indeed! I've pictured many a fantasy land behind my lens!
I don't know if my photos will ever be anything much above hopeless but they're fun! :)
Love that emotional start - it's what carries me through the whole process
I do admire good photography skills... does that count?
Of course!!! :)
It's awesome that you're able to be inspired by your photographs. For me, photos of my travels are a handy reference when I'm trying to recall a place while writing, along with a journal.
Congrats on your upcoming release!
I wish I could journal usefully - but I tend to be too Tigger Brained for that! :P
Post a Comment