Creative Writing
I love how even the most mundane of photos can act as a stimulus to the creative writing process. That’s why I always carry a camera of some description around with me.
Erm, look. I don’t quite know how to put this but, well, er, sometimes – gosh this is so embarrassing! Well, the thing is, I know I’m supposed to be some sort of techno-geek but often I find that working on paper is better than working on a computer. For the initial outline anyway. There, I’ve said it. I feel much better now!
There are several reasons why working on – and with – paper is beneficial.
I wonder if the management/business model of levels of competence applies to writers? The basic premise is that as you travel on the journey from novice to expert, you pass through four stages of competence. These are
Phone cameras have been getting better and better, and I believe they are both useful and usable now, from a writer’s point of view.
OK, it’s official: I am completely insane. The last time I posted anything on this website was back in July (sound of wrist being slapped), but I’d like to get going again. So what better way than to register for Digital Writing Month?
Stumped for some ideas on what to write about? One way to tackle that sort of block is to generate ideas randomly. The trouble with random idea generators, however, is that they are usually either outlandish (for example “mobile fish typewriter”), boring, or repetitive. That’s because they’re too random. Also, you have to dance to someone else’s tune: there’s no input from you whatsoever.
I always carry a pocket camcorder with me. It enables me to take both photos and videos. I use the videos as a potential basis for creative writing.
I try to make the videos only about 30 seconds long, because I like the idea of being minimalist – as you may have gathered from my article about using Twitter.
The terms “technology” and “creative writing” may not often appear in the same sentence. But when it comes to digital photography, the world is your oyster.