Reading time: Less than 1 minute
This is my weekly installment of “writing about writing,” in which I scan the world to find websites, books and articles to help other writers. Today I discuss a blog post about how to become a more visual thinker….
I am not what you’d call a natural visual thinker. For me, words and stories always come before images. Even when I’m reading, I seldom imagine what characters look like and I tend to skim through text involving detailed description of setting.
Still, I recognize this to be a deficiency of mine — and it’s likely the reason why I’ve generally stuck with writing non-fiction rather than novels or short stories. (Although I read fiction voraciously.)
For all these reasons, I very much appreciated K.M. Weiland’s recent and creative blog post under the headline, “11 Exercises to Enhance Your Visual Thinking.”
Her 11 exercises include:
- Dreamzoning (an intentional time of focused daydreaming)
- Taking story walks
- Seeking your own symbolism (subconscious brains speak in symbols rather than words)
- Filling the well (looking for enough beautiful/interesting images)
- Using music as a starting point
- Using images as starting points
- Focusing on colour and light
- Bringing in other senses
- Creating music videos in your head
- Taking (imaginary) snapshots
- Paying attention to your dreams
Weiland puts it this way:
As a writer of fiction, my life remains fervently in need of these dreams, these visions, these specters out the corner of my eye. And so, even as I dedicate myself to waging war against Internet brain and the inherent distractions that pull me away from my visual thinking, I also become more intent than ever on once again consciously accessing this amazing realm of creativity.
If you want to become a more visual thinker, be sure to try Weiland’s exercises.
