Wednesday, February 5, 2020

IWSG & Emotional Imagery

The Insecure Writer's Support Group is the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. He, his clones, minions, friends, and fellow authors make it an amazing event every month.



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!


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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:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

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.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm a photographer but it's been the emotions of dreams that have inspired my fiction writing.

Ellen Jacobson said...

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.

Chrys Fey said...

I love photography, too. :) It's my second favorite creative outlet.

cleemckenzie said...

It seems you and I are on the same page when it comes this month's question!

Pat Garcia said...

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

Chemist Ken said...

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.

emaginette said...

I do, but not often enough. hehehe

Anna from elements of emaginette

Natalie Aguirre said...

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.

Elephant's Child said...

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.

mshatch said...

I love art and museums and am always inspired. I've also starting collecting photos for my novels. Deviant art is a great site.

Carol Kilgore said...

I totally get that. I'm much the same.

Yvonne Ventresca said...

Thanks for sharing your process!

M.J. Fifield said...

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. :)

Juneta key said...

Yes, definitely. Music too. Happy IWSG!

Mason Canyon said...

Photography is a wonderful way to be inspired. I'm drawn to images of foggy mornings over the lake.

Donna Hanton said...

My initial thought was also a 'no', but when I thought about it more, there are many things that inspire, including the visual.

AJ Bock said...

I love photography but I dont get the emotional response that you do. That's pretty cool.

www.alliebock.com

Jemi Fraser said...

Music definitely does a lot for my inspiration as well!

Jemi Fraser said...

That's interesting! My dreams are always too scary!

Jemi Fraser said...

People are endlessly fascinating and those snippets of real life tell so many tales!

Jemi Fraser said...

It's probably my 3rd - I love playing the piano as well! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

I thought the same thing when I read your post!!

Jemi Fraser said...

I love people watching! But I have to tell my Tigger Brain to do it as it's usually lost in the wonderings :)

Jemi Fraser said...

But the cats are happy with the attention!
I love spinning out the What Ifs!

Jemi Fraser said...

I'm not super visual either, Natalie. You'll get there - I have complete faith!

Jemi Fraser said...

Just wait until you read mine though - it is so completely sideways from the prompt!

Jemi Fraser said...

I need to try that at some point - I've heard so many good things about deviant art!

Jemi Fraser said...

Probably why I'm such a Gracie fan!

Jemi Fraser said...

It really is all about the emotion!
Haven't really done Pinterest yet - one day!

Jemi Fraser said...

Definitely music as well - full of power and emotion!

Jemi Fraser said...

Those foggy pictures are some of my favourites too - I got a few really good ones this summer!

Jemi Fraser said...

So true! I don't always know where the stories come from - they are just there attached to that emotion!

Jemi Fraser said...

I love seeing how different we all are - makes the world much more interesting!

Olga Godim said...

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.

A Hundred Quills said...

You so echo my thoughts Jemi. Most of my writing is also triggered by emotions..Both poetry and short fiction...Even prose..
Sonia

Mary Aalgaard said...

I also enjoy photography and agree. The images are inspiring.

Anstice Brown said...

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.

Jemi Fraser said...

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!

Jemi Fraser said...

Yes! All of my writing is emotion centred too!

Jemi Fraser said...

They are indeed! I've pictured many a fantasy land behind my lens!

Jemi Fraser said...

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

Damyanti Biswas said...

I do admire good photography skills... does that count?

Jemi Fraser said...

Of course!!! :)

J.H. Moncrieff said...

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!

Jemi Fraser said...

I wish I could journal usefully - but I tend to be too Tigger Brained for that! :P