What do you visualize when you see this picture? A beautiful bush almost in full bloom?
Or do you see the fresh dirt under it and wonder what or who could be buried there?
Tell us what you think it is. Remember to be creative!
Category: Photo of the Week
Photo of the Week: Look Closely
Ewww. Gross, right? What the heck is that?
- Copyright © 2013 by Brittiany Koren
Look closely at this photo and tell us what you think it is. I will give you one clue. It is not vomit. Is this something your main character would find? Is it something you would add to your story? How would you describe this substance? What is it? What is your opinion? Share your thoughts with us, and be creative! 🙂
Photo of the Week: It’s in the Details
When describing main characters, remember to include little quirks that make them stand apart from other characters in the story. This is important because it will help your readers “see” these characters, and therefore relate to them on a deeper level.
If you look closely you’ll see, for instance, the girl in this picture has a scar in her eyebrow. Her eyes are bright green and her hair almost white blonde while the hair in her eyebrow is darker.
These questions leap to mind. How did she get the scar? Does she color her hair, or is it natural?
And then from there, the story begins to develop. What is she looking at so intently? How old is she? What is it about this girl that makes her special?
Have fun with it, but don’t get too carried away. These little details, if not added in your first draft of the story, should be layered in during the second or third draft phase before the story is sent to an editor for review.
Good luck! 🙂
Photo of the Week: Roller Coaster Emotions
If your character went on a roller coaster, what would their reaction be? Terrified, excited, anxious? Would your character sit in the middle, or on the end? Would they be comfortable going on the ride alone, with strangers filling the other seats? Or, are they more of a “pack” person, wanting to share the experience with friends? Would it matter to them?
Look at the pool in the bottom right hand corner of this picture. Would your character be afraid to fall into the water? Or, are they an experienced swimmer? What kind of story ideas can you come up with by just looking at this picture? What types of noises do your hear? What kinds of smells? How does the hard metal of the ride feel around their bodies as they’re strapped inside for that one timeless minute?
Photo of the Week: Adding Texture
Take a hard look at this deer. What is it thinking? What direction will it go next? Or, will it stay still and listen a little longer?
Think of your main character in this sense. How will they react to danger? Fight or flight?
Look at this deer now in a different way, how the shade from the trees keep it in the shadows. It’s not a straight line, but staggered. Look how the grass in some places is green and other places dead. What does the grass feel and taste like? Is it soft, brittle? What season is it? What sounds are around the deer? What is making it listen so hard? Is someone watching it? Or something? What does it smell? Is it in danger, or safe?
Remember, using the five senses is very important in making your story come to life.
Thunderstorm Challenge
Inspirational Photo of the Week: Put your character on a back porch watching the thunderstorm from the safety of their home, or in a vehicle trying to get somewhere. What is their reaction? Are they afraid? Do they enjoy the sweet smell of rain? Do they have something outside that will be drenched and ruined? Show the emotion of what they’re feeling as they feel the storm around them. Writing from inspiration can sometimes be an easier way to get into the mood of writing. Good luck!
