A Picture Paints a Thousand Words

When I was a child, I lingered with my Golden Books, intently studying the pictures. They were as important, if not more important, than the story. 

We all know how moving a picture can be to help tell a story - whether simple or complex. But how about the picture being the source of inspiration for a story or article?

If you're feeling the late winter slump (particularly those of us who live where spring is in a holding pattern), grab a book of photographs and find a cozy spot to browse and reflect.

Time Life, National Geographic, and even your own photo albums are chock full of material to get you thinking. Not only that, but it is relaxing and will help take your mind off everything that vies for attention.

I keep my iPhone or camera handy and I'm in the routine of capturing special moments in time. 

I took this picture when I went snowshoeing this winter and it produced several ideas for an article.



When I woke up one morning in my daughter's apartment, this is what I saw:


(That one is tucked away for later).

Here's one from my backyard, just before a storm. As I watched the sky groan with turmoil, it conjured up a plot of the struggles that can come in a relationship.


Finally, some years ago, my 5-year-old made this drawing on our computer. It sparked an idea for a children's book I'd like to write:



If you haven't tried letting pictures help you write, try it!

Whatever your genre, pictures will help you paint a thousand words.  

~~~

After raising and homeschooling her 8 children, Kathy has found time to pursue freelance writing. You can find her passion to bring encouragement and hope to people of all ages at When It Hurts -http://kathleenmoulton.com


Photo credit: Kathleen Moulton © all rights reserved




12 comments:

Shirley Corder said...

Thanks for a thought-provoking post, Kathleen. I often create photos and pictures to illustrate a story, but I've never thought of taking a photo to create a story! This I must try!

Kathleen Moulton said...

Hi, Shirley ... let me know how it goes!

Heidiwriter said...

Excellent! We can find inspiration in many forms. Pictures can help with developing characters, creating setting...and now even giving ideas for stories! Thanks for sharing this!

Kathleen Moulton said...

You're welcome, Heidi. Thank-you for your comment!

Magdalena Ball said...

Great photos, Kathleen. We writers often think only in words but sometimes taking photos can really help us work better and provide material too.

Kathleen Moulton said...

Thanks, Maggie. : )

Mary Jo Guglielmo said...

Great idea Kathleen. Usually for me the story produces the picture. It might be fun to try it the other way around.

Anne Duguid Knol said...

Love your photos Kathleen, and they're certainly inspirational. My favorites are the apartment--so evocative-- and the computer image--so joyous. My photos are never as good as that!

Kathleen Moulton said...

Let me know how it works for you, Mary Jo!

Kathleen Moulton said...

Thanks, Annie!

Karen Cioffi said...

Kathleen, excellent post. You've got us all thinking, that's always a good thing. :)

It's so true that images and pictures can stir emotions in us, this can easily translate into ideas for stories. Thanks for sharing!

Kathleen Moulton said...

Thank-you, Karen!

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