Today’s article is written by Devin Berglund.
I had a sharp imagination when I was a child—I believe I still do today. But when I was young, my imagination seemed so much more real.
I remember my siblings and I would stay out in the woods for hours on end, as the evening slowly set in. I’m still greatly inspired by nature, and am always looking for new ways to capture the feeling I get when I’m in nature, so I can use it in my writing.
As adults, we live busy lives. But if we are constantly busy, we will miss out on all the story ideas around us. And if we don’t write them down, we do forget them.
Some of us also find ourselves stuck for story ideas because, instead of looking to the world we live in for inspiration, we see the rushed, unromantic lives we’re living.
But it all depends on the point of view. Look at your life through the lens of a camera, and then suddenly things will start to look different.
Have you ever gone on a trip and been amazed by the beauty of your surroundings? Do you wish you still had the sharp imagination you had when you were little? Do you wish there was a way you could keep track of the story ideas you get when you’re on trips, or visiting new places?
Here are a few tips to help you dig deep into that child-like imagination to capture story, character, and setting ideas through photography.
1. Photo Journal
One way to make sure you remember the story ideas you get from nature, or the things around you, is by taking pictures with a camera or your phone. You may or may not want to print the photos later.
If you do choose to print them, sick them into a ‘story photo journal’. Alongside the pictures, write about how the place made you feel, along with setting, characters, histories, and story ideas.
2. Setting Study
If you live in a city and don’t think you can find any inspiration for your story there, take your camera out for a walk. You may surprise yourself.
When you come across areas that inspire a work-in-progress, get detail shots. If you are in a forest that inspires you to write about fairies, be sure to get up-close-and-personal with the grass blades, toadstools, and the bark on the trees. Those detail shots will help you word things better.
And, of course, if you’re able to go wherever your story is set, do so. (You can always use Google Streetview if your setting doesn’t allow for an in-person visit.)
3. Photo Writing Game
Lay printed photos on the ground or table. Take a notebook and pen (your favorite one!) and create a set of photographs.
Go through your photos and pick out eight to start with, and then you can add as you go. Put together a story with your photos. Remember, you can interpret the photos in any way to make your story more interesting.
This is an interesting and exciting way to find new ideas. It’s also a fun way to dig deeper into shallow parts of your story.
4. Pinterest
I’ll bet you know about (or maybe even use ) the photo-collecting website Pinterest, but have you ever used it for world building?
I have whole folders on there with picture ideas which have inspired characters, settings, and plot in my stories. It’s a simple, but effective way to go on a photo scavenger hunt.
5. Idea Bank
This is a fun one. Take an old coffee container or mason jar and decorate it. Make it your special spot where you store visual ideas (photos you’ve taken and printed, or ones from magazines, newspapers, etc.). When you need an inspirational idea, pull one out and write about it.
Try these tips to jump start your creativity and child-like imagination, and to help you remember your story ideas in new and exciting ways.
Are there any ways in which photography has helped you better grasp feelings, settings, or ideas for your writing?
Devin Berglund is an American writer who is living abroad in Brisbane, Australia. In 2011, she graduated from Minnesota State University of Moorhead with a BA degree in English/Mass Communications and a Certificate in Publishing. Her mind is dancing with enough ideas for a bazillion books, but she is currently working on a YA fantasy series. You can find her at lifewritingwanderlust.com, Twitter and Facebook.
Very interesting ideas, definitely worth trying. I’ll start carrying a camera around! And yes, it may be time for me to join Pinterest. I’d resisted so far, but using it to collect visuals for inspiration and/or scene setting seems like powerful incentive. Thanks for sharing!
Guilie, Pinterest is definitely a fun tool… I have whole files with pictures that inspire characters, scenes, and even plot twists! 🙂 Glad you enjoyed the post!
Awesome tips Devin, I really want to try the Photo Writing Game with the children next time I do a workshop, they’d love this visual storytelling.
Thank You, Charmaine! I am glad you enjoyed the article! I really enjoy that game. It works as a great prompt to get you writing. 🙂
I travel a lot, take a lot of photos, and crazy things happen. There you have the inspiration for me to create my travel blog, Crazy Travel Adventures By Debra and to write children’s fiction. As I write, the photographs help me remember aspects of my travels and inspire me to more creative depths when writing about them and the story.
You can see how my photos are used in my blog by visiting my blog.
As to the children’s book, initially, I was going to write a picture book featuring my photos instead of illustrations (or try to at least have my photos illustrated). I was going to self-publish. The PB transformed into a middle grade novel, which I hope to have traditionally published. My travel photos set the scene in and provide action for several chapters. Photographs are also involved in what’s at stake for my protagonist.
Traveling surely opens one’s eyes to dreams and inspiration. Glad you enjoyed the article and good luck on your travels, and your writings! 🙂
The camera idea is a good one Devin.
I live on a farm and go for a walk every morning with my dog. I always carry my phone in case of emergencies (not to text or tweet!) I have seen some photo worthy sights and never thought of using the phone to get a picture.
Until a month ago I saw a huge Maple tree in it`s full fall glory and thought it would look good on Pinterest, that reminded me to get a photo with my phone. I did but have not used it since.
Now you have reminded me to look for more scenes to photograph.
Thank you.
Peter, I am glad you enjoyed the article! Happy Writing! 🙂
These are all great ideas. You have to keep yourself creative any way you can. It always pays, to keep a reserve of ideas.
Tania, I am glad you enjoyed the article! It definitely helps to keep yourself creative in more than just your writing. 🙂 It helps you grow your writing and also allows you to look at things differently! 🙂
Thank you for this fantastic article. I found this very inspirational. As a photography enthusiast and budding writer, I connected with this article the instant I read the title. Thanks for the ideas, direction and inspiration.
Glad you found it inspirational! 🙂 Good luck with the photography and writing!
A picture is worth a thousand words.
I always carry a small camera with me because you never know what you might see. I tend t use my photo’s as references for paintings and often exaggerate the sky colour, for instance, as the photo may not exactly catch how vibrant the colours truly were – describing the scene in colour.
Using photos as inspiration for writing is a brilliant tip, giving writers another tool for describing what they’ve seen and the emotions that were provoked from their own unique and interesting perspective.
I am glad you enjoyed the article! 🙂 You are so correct in saying that it’s always good to carry a camera with you because you never know what you might miss… 🙂
If you take pics with your phone, you can organize them into journals using the Evernote app or on your iPad using the Moleskine app. I love both of these apps and use them regularly!
I knew about Evernote! 🙂 But I had no idea about the Moleskine app! I will look into it! 🙂
I am passionate about photography as well as writing, but I never thought of combining both of them, or of using Pinterest to build my fictional world. WOW. My mind has been blown, and BTW I pinned your article! 🙂
awe! That is awesome… thanks for the pin! 🙂 I have found pinterest extremely helpful with that! Have a great time writing! 🙂