Finding the inspiration to write.
New writers, experienced writers, amateur or professional —meaning you actually get paid for this stuff, at some point, will struggle to find something to write about. Even non-fiction writers may wrestle with finding new ways to express themselves so that their writing doesn’t become stale or monotonous. And yet, we do write on. Writers have unique ways of working through the times we get stuck and can’t move forward.
I am a very visual person. Even while I write, I am imagining the scene as if it is a film rolling in my head. I cast actors in the roles of all my characters, even minor ones. I’ve drawn the layouts of houses and other buildings, charted maps of my fictional locations and collected photos and images for all of it on Pinterest boards for each project. I’ve kept my ongoing project boards private, but you are welcome to check out the public ones here.
So because I like having a visual stimulus, I often use art as an inspiration to write.
Finding beautiful things to gaze upon does not require a trip to an art museum. Although, that’s not a bad way to idle away an afternoon. Speaking of Pinterest, they have an entire category dedicated to art. There you will find not only images of major works of art but also those of unknown and amateur artists, which are no less compelling.
How about street art? Do you live in or near a city or town that supports and/or encourages street art? Philadelphia has a fantastic Murals Art project.
Check out their website for more photos here.
Seriously, don’t you feel a story just begging to be written about some of those pieces of art? Go write one! There are street art photo tours online from different cities around the world. I encourage you to check them out.
Have you heard about the book Beauty In Decay: The Art of Urban Exploration? You can find it on Amazon. It is a stunning photographic collection of abandoned buildings accompanied by poetic text. Tell me that isn’t fuel for the fire of storytelling. What happened here? Who lived there? Why did everyone leave? Some images can be viewed online if you don’t want to shell out the $35 for the book.
Lastly, let me share a few of my favorite images, ones that have conjured ideas for writing. The header image is “The Grey Tree” by Piet Mondrian. I stared at that image on and off while writing a winter scene. It’s so stark and cold. And I love that you can see the brush strokes. It speaks of darkness, of cold, of death….
Or how about a masterpiece? Van Gogh’s Sunflowers? Monet’s Garden at Giverny? Picasso’s Guernica?
And I’m just dying to write something based on the sculptures by Matteo Pugliese. I won’t hijack an image here but I urge you to check out his work at MatteoPugliese.com. His bronze figures emerge from the walls like human forms escaping imprisonment from life in the second dimension. I’m telling you…
While you’re at it, explore the art and photography blogs here on WordPress. Some of the images are amazing. I follow a couple of bloggers who regularly post some fabulous images for the daily and weekly photo challenges they participate in. Stop and stare at them for a while. Based on what you see, imagine what happens next. Or ask yourself, what just happened here? After all the root word for imagine is image! I hope these suggestions help you find some inspiration. Happy writing my friends!
Thank you! This post is inspiring indeed! Reposting!
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Glad you enjoyed it. Thank you!
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Such good advice, Meg. It’s true, sometimes we get stalled and for me pictures and/or music are a great stimulus.
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And sometimes it’s just calming. Clears your head of the clutter and refocuses on an entirely new thing! Thanks Diane!
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Yes, it’s easy to get frustrated when the right words don’t come!
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For real!
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I think we have talked about this before — your entire paragraph starting with “I am a very visual person” describes me exactly. Movie playing in my head, casting of characters, places, settings, images, and Pinterest boards (though mine are all private).
Art is a powerful influence and it’s something, I think, often passed by too quickly while we’re rushing through life.
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I agree! I’m due for a trip to the Philadelphia Museum of Art! Or NYC… For a girls weekend! 😉
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God knows I could stand to get the hell away from my life… of course , so much easier said than done!
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Excellent. Love this!
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Thanks!
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You’ve got some great pictures here. Good idea!
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Thank you Simon!
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Always 😃😃
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Wonderful post! Art is beauty. Happy writing.
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Thank you so much!
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I love the huge city murals! I’ll have to check them out when I’m in Philly this summer.
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They’re all over the place, it’s really cool!
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My city is pretty cool that way too. There’s a mural festival every summer and about 15 new ones are done.
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Syracuse? And btw let me know when you’re coming to philly!
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I’m in Rochester. I used to live in Syracuse.
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Got it!
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I like this post. There is inspiration everywhere. Writers just need to train themselves to look for it. And the great murals that spring up on the city streets and walls are spectacular.
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I agree! There are beautiful and compelling images everywhere- even simple things- we just have to be observant! Thanks, Drew!
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My three posts from this week were inspired by watching pidgeons, hearing a song, and reading a bloggers poem. There is inspiration everywhere. Be well.
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You too!
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Just lovely. Have a retweet.
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Thank you so much!!
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What great ideas and inspiration!!
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