Whether you're starting a brand new novel, or trying desperately to finish one, sometimes you need a way to rediscover what you love about your novel. Having a visual representation of the unique aspects of your story can revive flagging enthusiasm for your project.
One way to do this is with a vision board. A vision board is a spot to collect images and words that have to do with your novel. Photos of characters. Images of settings. Examples of objects that play an important role in your story.
You may already have a bulletin board set up with a collection of pictures. Or maybe they're languishing in a computer file. But taking the time to put them together in a creative way can be an inspiration on those days when words are hard to come by. Adding to your collection will help you understand your story in new ways.
Charlotte Rains Dixon, a Portland-based writer, has written a helpful ebook that explains exactly what a vision board is, and why you might want one. Jump Start Your Book With a Vision Board will help you plan and create an eye-catching display for your writing space. It's free when you sign up for Dixon's bi-monthly newsletter.
If you're not the type for cut and paste, you can digitally create an electronic version of a vision board. Check out Glogster. It's a free site where you can make any kind of poster, using the clip art they supply, or importing in photos you come across.
I think it's time I came up with a vision board for my novel. I've already got character, setting, and object images. It would be cool to morph them into a poster, partly for my own inspiration, but also to explain my story obsession to others.
What about you? Do you have something like a vision board?
Debbie, Thank you so much for your kind words about my Ebook and for featuring it here! I really enjoy reading your blog and I'm now off to Tweet about your post like crazy.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea--I have a board with a few pictures on it, but I'm curious to see how to utilize it more...the e-boook sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
I just joined the Pinterest site. I think this might be a site where I can put different images.... if I figure out how to use it. This ebook sounds great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing a great book, Charlotte. I hope a lot of people discover it!
ReplyDelete@Faith: I'm hoping to put together a "real" board soon. Sounds like a fun project.
@Stacy: I haven't joined Pinterest yet, but I keep coming across it. I'll have to pick your brain about it once you get familiar with it!
~Debbie
Hi Deborah--always going the extra mile. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Jack!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I want you to know that you are responsible for the endless hours of fun I plan on having on Glogster. Just so you know;)
ReplyDeleteI've seen them done and I'd love to do them because I love the visusals... But I'm so creatively challenged!
ReplyDeleteMichelle, if I may jump in, that's the great thing about vision boards--you don't have to be a great creative whiz! This project is far more about finding images and words that evoke your book and will help you to create a world, so there's no right or wrong way to do it. Charlotte
ReplyDeleteChecking out Glogster now!
ReplyDeleteI do use vision boards, but not for my writing, oddly enough...
I shall have to try it for my next one.
@Leah: So sorry, but I hope it inspires your writing!
ReplyDelete@Michelle: Somewhere I've got a link to some amazing 3D ones someone did. If I find it, I'll link it on the post.
@Charlotte: Thanks so much for chiming in! It's nice to hear how it really helps. You did a great job with the book.
@Sonia: It might be interesting to see what a vision board might do--although not having one hasn't slowed you down any!
~Debbie