Every Image Tells A Story
Yesterday’s NaNoWriMo Day 10 post focused on writing prompts. While short writing exercises are an excellent way to get that spark and keep your fingers moving, there are other things that will keep the bees in your head buzzing with creativity. In fact, I’ve always found that engaging in different pursuits (whether seemingly creative on the surface or not) helps to ignite the creative synapses.
So here’s another avenue to explore. Instead of just writing books, have you considered looking at design books? Gorgeous visuals, typography books, etc., these all give the brain a nudge and spark a connection that is not just ordinary.
Here’s a few that I just picked out of my bookshelf. You can walk to your local bookstore and peruse through the design rack for your own inspiration.
Collage by Danielle Krysa
From the writer of The Jealous Curator, comes a collection of artwork by contemporary artists as they hunt and gather, cut and paste, mash up and transform. In your own writing, these principles also apply. You may think as you write NaNoWriMo “I’ve heard of this story somewhere. I’m sure it’s been done before.” But, the process of creating something new from what already exists has been done since the beginning of time. After all, wasn’t it Picasso who said “good artists copy but great artists steal”? In Collage, you’ll see the way artists give existing images an entirely new purpose, and create something fresh from images and ideas that were already established in their meaning.
Thought On Design by Paul Rand
“Graphic design…
is not good design
if it does not co-operate
as an instrument
in the service of communication.”
Use that towards your NaNoWriMo writing. As you write, try to get to the point, without using wasted words. Everything should seamless integrate. There should be a rhythm a thought that should stay with the reader long after they have left the page.
Grafica della Strada: The Signs Of Italy by Princeton Architectural Press New York
“The Butcher, The Baker, The Ravioli Maker (which sounds infinitely better as la macelleria, il forno, il pastificio): in Italy, the sign for everyday business is everyday business is anything but ordinary.” This is what you must think about as you write: How do I not make it ordinary. How can I make each word bounce off the page and create a memorable experience in the reader’s mind.
NaNoWriMo is a long commitment and to keep your attention and ideas fresh, try out different things, including the one suggested on Day 9 – Reconnect With The Books You Love.
Happy ThinkBlink to all the NaNoWriMo writers!