It all started innocently enough. I needed to do some
research for a WIP and I remembered another author mentioning Pinterest and how
it could help with research and inspire authors. So, I thought I’d give it a
try. I decided to look up the cost of things in certain historical times.
You know how the cost of household necessities, houses,
and services are important to people today. I realize the comfortable income I
once had, doesn’t buy what it used to buy back in the 1970’s and 80’s. If I had
to live off that kind of income now, I’d be living in a tent with nothing but
rice and beans to eat. I knew the same concerns weighed on people throughout
history.
If I was going to write about my characters worrying over
costs of things like coffee, beans, a house, or milk, it might be a good idea
to actually know what incomes were and costs of things. So far in my writing,
I’ve only mentioned costs as “expensive” or “unaffordable.” I have avoided
stating costs in my historical fiction. Why mention something about which I
know nothing?
And then I found Pinterest.
In that delightful, sometimes overwhelming world of
pictures and famous quotes, I found lists of costs for specific years in
history. Well, let me tell you, that was such a relief. I got excited about
them and chucked them into my Pinterest board titled “Writer’s Corner.”
But that’s not all I found on Pinterest. I also found
photos of scenes, activities, people, as well as clothing from certain time
periods that helped me formulate and tell my story with more accuracy. And, just so you know, helpful advice and quotes for writers.
I
created a story board where I put interesting photos that may be used later to
inspire or form a story. Pinterest is a visual research depot for authors.
When I’m outlining a story and preparing to write, I find
pictures relevant to that story and put them on a board with my working title
for that story. It’s so amazing to me how helpful it is to see those photos I’ve
collected to depict a particular WIP. I’m totally inspired by them.
How 'bout some monsters from the deep?
Now I admit I can get lost in Pinterest. Sometimes I just
need to get settled into some quiet time or get my mind off some persistent
problem in my life. It is like therapy for anxiety and worry, especially for
introverts like me. But therapy aside, I am convinced that Pinterest is a very
positive asset for authors who are developing a story or need inspiration for a
story. Of course, it’s possible I’m just trying to make Pinterest addicts out
my author friends. It’s like crack to the imagination.
Another helpful thing about Pinterest is that an author’s
boards can be shared with others. It can be used as a tool to promote an
author’s work. An author can make a board for each book and include relevant,
short excerpts or snippets under certain pictures that give an enticing
introduction to their book or their work in progress. An author can create a
board using their book covers to identify their bodies of work in a most
charming and enticing way to increase interest.
If you haven’t already checked out Pinterest, here is a
link for you to get started: https://www.pinterest.com/
I hope you will visit my Pinterest boards and see how I
put together a visual collection of story elements. My Pinterest page is: https://www.pinterest.com/sarahmcneal9/
WARNING! Pinterest can be habit-forming.
Sarah
J. McNeal is a multi-published author of several
genres including time travel, paranormal, western and historical fiction. She
is a retired ER and Critical Care nurse who lives in North Carolina with her
four-legged children, Lily, the Golden Retriever and Liberty, the cat. Besides
her devotion to writing, she also has a great love of music and plays several
instruments including violin, bagpipes, guitar and harmonica. Her books and
short stories may be found at Prairie Rose Publications and its imprints Painted
Pony Books, and Fire Star Press. Some of her fantasy and paranormal books may
also be found at Publishing by Rebecca Vickery and Victory Tales
Press. She welcomes you to her website and social media:
I make a new pinterest board for each story I write.
ReplyDeletedenise
That's a very good idea, Denise. Do you put little snippets that might relate that picture to your story? I do that with some of mine--not all of them. I do try to identify who is in the picture. You never know who might come along and repin your picture and then they have that little snippet to entice them to dig into your work.
DeleteJust recently I added the link to my Pinterest boards in my signature. I'll see how that works out.
Thank you for coming by and commenting. It kept me from getting lonesome over here. LOL
I just pin the pictures I like and feel relate to my story: homes that fit the setting, items mentioned in the setting, quotes which inspire, any tidbit that catches my eye. No snippets.
DeleteThose are the things I do, too. I don't necessarily add snippets from the story so much as how the characters feel or react to something. Still, Pinterest has become my go-to place for story development.
DeleteTank you so much for your comment and sharing how you use Pinterest.
I've been sucked into the Pinterest World. lol One of my more crazier obsessions...I wasted time pinning themed 'Magic Eight Balls'. Yep, you read that correctly- Magic Eight Balls! lol By the way, there's quite a few different ones, ranging from the traditional 'black and white' eight ball to Sponge Bob to Barbie. There's even a Christmas edition. lol
ReplyDeleteAs for promoting, I like to pin snippets of my books and book covers. I have a board for PbRJV and VTP too. Click here to check it out. Pinterest I'm following your board now, Sarah. Enjoyed your post
Your boards are more organized than mine. I'm following you now. See? I'm a real addict. Magic eight balls--really? I never would have thought there would be so many different kinds.
DeleteThank you for following my Pinterest boards, Karen. Some day I may even clean my boards up and organize them better--maybe.
Thank you so much for your comment.
Sarah, I am totally awed by your organized approach to all that you do. You are tempting me to get hooked on Pinterest. However, at the moment I am burning the midnight oil working to get Letters from Hull ready for release so I won't even be able to visit your Pinterest link until things slow down but I am looking forward to checking it out.
ReplyDeleteWell Linda, ya know I'm a plotter. I wonder if that means I'm a control freak. LOL When you get ready to work on your next book, check out Pinterest and see if it inspires you. I bet it will. Of course, I could just be trying to make you become another addict statistic like me. Honestly though, I hope, when you get the chance, you do check it out.
DeleteI wish you every success with your upcoming release of Letters From Hull. I know it's going to be fantastic.
Thank you so much for coming to read my post and commenting, Linda.