This is a fun idea I got from my friend Ally's blog, NOVEL IDEAS (which is a fabulous blog, by the way, and you should all read it). She probably explains it better than I do, but the basic idea is that you search around on the Internet for pictures that represent ideas/places/characters/etc. in your story. I tried it out and found it quite fun and motivational. I've always found images to be inspiring, so I think this is a tool that could really help me in the future. (I already make book covers for my own stories, so this is kind of similar to that.)
So, here it is! My first collage brainstorm. It's for Sweet Sorrow, my NaNo novel. :)
(You can click on it to make it bigger.)
I found photos on deviantArt (so, they're not my photos!) and edited the collage using Picasa. (Picasa is a free photo editing program on Google, and it has a cool collage-making tool.)
So, what do y'all think? Is this an activity you think would be helpful? If anyone else makes collages, I'd love to see them! :)
Oo, very neat! I like your collage a lot, and I think it is rather motivational. Something else I like to do is draw my characters, so I get a better feel for what I want them to look like. I can envision them in my head all I like, but having it down on paper really helps. Other motivational activities I've done include looking up what my characters' names mean (if I haven't done so already), reading snippets of novels who have characters that have similar personality traits to mine (or not, if I'm looking for contrast), and listening to music that fits to mood of the particular scene. Yay.
ReplyDeleteHappy writing!
Thanks! :D
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I used to try and draw my characters a lot. Unfortunately my drawing skills are not very good. Haha. Although sometimes I look around on the Internet for pictures of people who look like my characters, and I also find that motivational.
Ah, yes! I'm obsessed with name meanings. I often base characters' names on what they mean. Reading and listening to music always inspire me, too. :) Usually I have a playlist of songs that inspire me for each story I write. I've been thinking about posting some of my novel playlists on here!
You're welcome!
ReplyDeleteAnd haha, I don't think it really matters whether or not you consider yourself a good artist. It's just getting the inspirational juices going. But searching around for people who look like your characters is always fun. :)
I love name meanings~ And I think it's always so interesting to scour through random name databases to see what comes up. On the other hand, I also really enjoy making up my own names too. X3 (For example, Nasaiya Inamae is a combination of my name in pig latin and something I completely made up.)
And it'd be awesome to see what music you listen to! I'd be thrilled to know what to, as I'm always on the hunt for new music, and I bet I could make some suggestions if you're looking for more music as well!
Haha, well it's like ... I can't even capture the essence of my character in a drawing because I'm so bad at it, so it's just frustrating. XD
ReplyDeleteMe too, me too. I especially love behindthename.com. And I also love looking through baby name books! I don't often make up names because I'm not very good at it. lol! You're obviously good at it though!
Heh, I listen to kind of stereotypical "emo" music but anyway, I think I will do a post on music that's currently inspiring me to write my NaNo. :D
Same here. I'm a musical omnivore, so I'd be glad to hear any suggestions you have!
XD Alright, that's understandable. I mean, I don't claim to be able to capture my characters perfectly, but it's just a nice way to get out the creative juices all the same.
ReplyDeleteHaha, I love baby name websites~ And thanks. ^^"
But yes, do! I'll compile a list after I get a better idea of what types of music you might be interested in; I don't want to spam you with loads of music that may not be to your taste. X3
O Brigid it is lovely! I really like the word overlay. Is that from your novel? *Sneaks off to read it* HAHA.
ReplyDeletePS: You are done with NaNo???!!! Holy crud you crazy psycho nut girl! How?! I wish I was done... I'm just chugging along with my 1,700 words a day. O well... We can't all be Brigid.
O.O why does my name never appear on blogger? *UGH* just so you know some random creep is not on here. it is I, Ally, that is "unknown". The internet hates me.
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Ally! Yes it is from my novel. But it's kind of hard to read. XD
ReplyDeleteHarr harr, yes I am. But I think I'll probably just stop writing for the rest of the month since I have so many final projects to catch up on. O_o
Heh it's okay, I know you are not a random creep!