Let’s get visual, visual. I wanna get visual—let me what you can draw, what you can draw—let me see what you can draw….
Most people are visual—it’s how we put together clues. It’s how we interpret meaning. If you ask most people (apart from musicians and music-lovers) whether they’d rather lose their sight or their hearing and most will give up sound. As much as I love to listen to music and laughter, I think I’d rather be able to see than hear.
Hmm.. okay, there really was no point to any of that, but I thought it would segue nicely into the fact that people have been commenting on my tan. I assume they are thinking it’s because it’s been so gorgeous out after such a long winter. They must assume I’ve been out sipping margaritas and reading lit mags on my deck. If they only knew the truth of what I’ve been up to…!
What have you been up to?
visualize this!
Well, I called my mother yesterday. I was mentally preparing for a punchline when her voice came through the answering machine, “Hi this is Rose…” and then she picked up the phone.
“Why are you so out of breath? Where were you?” I asked.
“Why? Did you try calling?” she responded.
“Well, I’m calling now, aren’t I?” And then our similar laughter was the only sound for a few minutes. I don’t think you understand how much I love this woman.
It’s been hot out—winter sort of dragged out over spring and we came nose to nose with summer! There was no slow acclimatization—and no easing into the yard work either! Turns out my mother and I have both been out working in our yards.
Collecting Visuals for “non-visual” writers
But, I decided to take this writing course I was so excited to take. Between wheelbarrows of gravel and dirt and building and planting garden beds, I’ve been taking breaks by catching up on the readings and doing the assignments. For the class, we are asked to keep a visual journal. I might be a bit artsy-fartsy, but I don’t even doodle unless I remind myself that I should. Then the doodles look wooden and contrived, so why bother? I’ve mainly been writing jot note thoughts at odd angles, which is pretty much how I do it anyway.
And then, frustrated by this mountain of gravel, I drew a series of stick pictures depicting me and the many times I’ve moved this gravel. I was surprised at how well I can draw stick-me holding a shovel next to a wheelbarrow!
What does this have to do with your writing, Rach?
Well, this visual journal is a great way to get a story down before I forget it. Because I am a little less “visual,” a quick sketch can help me pinpoint the details I want to include. Most of my inspiration comes from my mind (abstract), so this is a great way to make sure I am balancing my thoughts with concrete images.
I’m not sure if my “Heaps of Gravel” will ever get written up. And if it does, it might not become a best-seller, but it was a learning experience. Visual jot notes are a great way to get down key points of a story that will include visuals—maybe I could even add in a “5 senses” frame to make sure I’m not just relying on sight and sound.
Journey to becoming more “visual”
Maybe the trick is to worry less about how well I draw and more about jotting down the important details around my sketches.
I’ve included this sketch for your entertainment.
A History of Gravel
These are posts I will be checking out:
http://mindfulartstudio.com/how-even-non-artists-can-use-art-journaling-to-relieve-stress/
https://www.thoughtco.com/tips-for-keeping-a-sketchbook-2578741
And you might want to check out this past post: