There are many ways to make your fiction better. One of the easiest ways is to make a picture book you can refer to when you're writing.
Writers keep many kinds of journals to help them when they sit down to write. An illustrated journal is another helpful tool.
Type of Journal
There are many types of books you can use to create your journal, from simple spiral-ring notebooks to expensive scrapbooks, but one with a sturdy cover and which will lay flat works best. A hard-cover sketch book is a good choice because not only is the cover sturdy, the pages are heavier and will better absorb glue or paint. Since you probably won’t carry this illustrated journal with you everywhere, consider choosing a size larger than regular notebook size, to give you more page space to work with.
Other Supplies
In addition to a journal, you will need: scissors, a glue stick, pens, file folders. (Coloured pencils and water colour paints are optional.)
Gathering Images
Images are everywhere. Here are some possible sources:
- Go through that stack of magazines in the corner, and clip out images that appeal to you. Place them in appropriately labeled file folders until you are ready to work on your journal.
- Gather postcards from past trips; buy new postcards at the local souvenir shop.
- Remember those birthday and holiday cards you’ve been stashing away in a box in your closet? See if any of those images appeal to you.
- Take photographs, or use duplicates of ones you have already.
- If you can draw or paint, do so. Even simple line drawings can tweak memories when you return to them.
- Collect party napkins, wedding invitations, match book covers.
Putting Together a Page
When you have gathered your images and other supplies, and are ready to put together a page, remember not to edit yourself or be too exacting about placing images on a page. This journal is just for you. You aren't going to publish it, so it should be creative, but not stressful. It’s your choice which and how many images you place on a page, but gathering like images – styles of clothing, pictures of houses or of cities – can be helpful when you review your pages. Play with positioning, and when you are pleased with the results, trim the images, if necessary, and attach them with glue.
Add Words, Too
Write notes to yourself on the illustrated page: What do the images make you think of? Why did you choose them? Be as general or as specific in detail as you want. General notes will allow your imagination to flow more freely when you look at the images again, while specific details will ensure that you remember something you don’t want to forget. Another way to add words to your page is to brainstorm and write down every word that comes to mind when you look at the images.
Use Your Illustrated Journal to Make your Fiction Better
An illustrated journal can help you to dress a character in a particular style of clothing. It can help you set a scene in a neighbourhood, town or city (especially if you can’t travel there right now). Sometimes just looking at a page will give you story ideas, and, at the very least, the act of creating this journal will get other creative juices flowing.
Final Tips
Remember that all these images and words are meant to tweak your memories or spark your imagination. To get the most from your journal, work on a new page, or review an old one at least once a week. You will be surprised how helpful this journal can be.
