The Power of a Good Picture Book



Photo by Maisie Duncan

I haven't posted a picture in a while. As I was looking for just the right one, I stumbled upon this one I took with an old point and shoot in Afghanistan. I love this picture. The girls were all given books depicting photos of women in their own culture who had taken steps forward and attained positions of power.

A large majority of the Afghan population is illiterate, especially the girls. So to have this book with photos of strong women, showing it was not only okay but vital to push the bounds of expectations was incredible. To be part of the experience and to watch these girls glimpse into what could possibly be their future was truly humbling. What a difference a book makes.

It is a nice reminder that what we do can have tremendous benefits not only to our checkbooks but in the minds of others. A wonderful thing to keep in mind when I sit down at my desk.

For two beautiful weeks I left my life of schedules, deadlines, family ties, and responsibilities behind. As I boarded the plane to Hawaii I allowed myself to disconnect from it all. No bills, babysitters, homework, or blinding computer screens. I wasn't even allowed to think about it. Finally, I was able to open myself up to my surroundings and connect to them in a way that always seemed impossible before. The world around me was always cloudy at best. An after thought in my daily rituals and to-do lists. But suddenly, I was part of it. My senses were more acute; I saw things by way of their color, smell, texture. By letting go of trying to find creativity, I found myself just being creative. I have since returned home and am trying to settle back into the routine I held before. It is unsettling, really. Responsibilities, deadlines, and a fear of blank pages may never go away. But one thing I know for certain is that I want to keep that connection forever. We spend so much time alone or disconnected from the world. I realize more than ever, that if my goal is create a world of believability, wonder, and excitement I have to see that in my own surroundings. You are never going to find your creativity. It isn't lost. You just have to allow it to be. You have to push all the other stuff away and connect to the most basic, natural parts of the world. In between laundry and 500 words by Friday, of course. 

Photo by Maisie Duncan

How to Find Inspiration at Your Fingertips

I really do mean at your fingertips. I am talking about pictures. Practicing photography (and i mean practicing-I am definantly still at hobby try-out level here) is one of my favorite things to do. What I love about it so much is that it forces you to look at the world in a more discerning way. Suddenly you start noticing the contrast of light on angles, the back lit curls of someone's hair, the immense beauty in something so simple as a rock or a tree. What's even more thrilling is seeing the developed photo and feeling its story captured in that moment.

Pictures are used in writing prompts often. I bought a wonderful book, The Pocket Muse by Monica Wood, that is filled with pictures as prompts. I have had it for several years and it remains my go to back up in my frequent blank page stare downs.

The idea came up of using my love of taking pictures to find a deeper connection to my actual surroundings. All in the hopes of creating inspiration versus waiting for it. This was actually my mom's idea. I adore her for it, but kick myself for not thinking of this before.

Starting today I will be posting some of my photographs. Images of my world in which I find unexpected beauty, curiosities, or histories waiting to be told.

What ideas or questions do these pictures bring up in you? Use these as inspiration for your own writing. Or better yet, go grab a camera and capture your own! Have fun with this.

These photos are my own and I would appreciate requests before they are shared outside of this blog. Thanks!

Photo by Maisie Duncan