Putting Images Into Words

A great way to exercise one’s writing muscles is by describing something. This can be related to a larger project, or it might only be an exercise. There are many ways to do this, but I would like to mention two description exercises that I find particularly helpful.

1. Describe a photograph. This is an excellent way to bring memory connotations into play. Describing an old photograph can be a wonderful way to lead into a memory. It can help make the memory come alive to the reader. The reader didn’t experience the memory in the same way you did, but by describing the scene, one is able to pull the reader into your memory.

When doing a description exercise I often find it more helpful to describe a photograph of someone, something, or some place that I have never seen. I have done several descriptions of the photographs from certain photography Web sites that have turned into poems. I always find it helpful to describe one of the photos when I want to try something new out.

What objects are in the photograph? What is the ambiance? Are the people happy, sad, etc.? What does the photograph make you think of? Is it inviting? How does it make you feel? What kinds of colors are in the photo? Is it warm? Cool?

2. Go to a populated location and write what you see. It is possible to maintain a quiet, calm mind in a crowded area. Going to a popular place where there is a large variety of people and interaction can fill a notebook with ideas and character sketches. A shopping center, park, cafe, or busy city street are all places where one can find people and situations worth writing about. You can write about people without making them feel like they are being watched. Try just a few glaces and write from memory. You will develop the description even more than usual if you write it from memory and only look up for a few extra details.

What are the people doing? Where are they going? What kind of movements are they doing? Are they making exaggerated motions or keeping to themselves? How are they talking? How are they dressed? What are their faces saying? What are their bodies saying? Is it different from what their words are saying?