Since I’m knee-deep in NaNo, I thought I’d share a few pictures that have been inspiring my writing. I posted about how we writers can use photographs to inspire our writing a few months ago, and learned that looking at pictures (or photos) was something that many other writers did to inspire themselves to write.
Lately I’ve been using photos from the 1920s to inspire my writing. I’m working on a historical fiction novel for NaNoWriMo, so I’ve been turning to Google for help when I find myself trying to describe the clothing of the time or the streets and homes my characters are playing in.
Here are a few of the pictures that inspire writing that have helped me so far this month:
Vintage French Flappers circa 1920 (postcard)
Three Students Taking a Break
Have you been using any photos to inspire your NaNoWriMo writing this month? Or to inspire your non-NaNo writing? Where do you find your photos?
Image sources:
Vintage French Flappers found here
Dancing on the Beach: William James, via Wikimedia Commons
Two Gentlemen Chatting: Marcel Couchaux: Pêcheurs à Honfleur, via Wikimedia Commons
Three Students Taking a Break: Wikimedia Commons
My first manuscript was a sci-fi historical fiction (yep) and I found it incredibly interesting to read through books published in that time and see images that people captured. Google Books was a helpful resource for me, as was the ILL system. Really cool post!
I hadn’t even thought of using Google Books (shameful!). Thanks so much for the tip!
What about pictures that simply inspire?
A picture says more than words ever can (though the writers out there may take issue with that!), and pictures help us to begin to cement certain ideas we have.
I have a few favourites that are tucked away; on my corkboard above my computer, in my notebooks. These images feel like a fresh drink of water when my mind starts to feel frazzled, they help to centre and ground me, to get me refocused and reinspired.
I definitely think pictures can be used just for pure inspiration or to jump start your creativity! I love using different types of art (painting, crafting, etc.) to inspire my writing. It’s wonderful that photographs and/or paintings can be so powerful (just like good writing can :)