But as much as I didn’t want to admit it, my curiosity was piqued. And what can I say? It was summer vacation. I needed to do something with my kids to keep them out of trouble.
By the time I finished the project, I was hooked on the idea. Now when I work on my WIP, I lay out the collages for the major players in the scene. Between the words and the images, my characters come to life. It’s like they’re standing in my office (bedroom). Weird huh?
There is one drawback, though, as you’ll see.
This is my main character, Maddie White.
This is her BFF, Olivia Goddard.
And this is Daniel Ackerman (Okay, this isn’t the full collage. There’s secret info I didn’t want to reveal).
Probably more so cuz this body looks a lot like my husband’s (minus a head). Le Sigh.
Have you tried making a character collage? Is it something you might consider? Remember, you don’t have to make one for every character. Just the key ones.
48 comments:
I'm thinking about making one of these. I think it might be helpful. I have to fit it in to my day.
Thanks for sharing. I see the distraction for Daniel.
omg Stina we must be on the same wave length b/c I have a similar post for tomorrow!! GREAT minds think alike ;--). Yours are great and I, um, *cough* understand your problem with Daniel!
We must all be thinking about characters. I can't say right now, I'd do a character collage. I like my mental visual a lot better than someone from a magazine. Hey, just now, I'm willing to try character charts. And I love Brandilyn Collins, Getting into Character. Most helpful way to get to know a character I've ever read. Just takes some work!
I've never tried making a character collage, but I do draw pictures of my characters. Sometimes I get carried away and I'll draw them in every outfit they wear during the course of the novel.
That guy does have nice abs. Your husband must be in damn good shape!
I've never made one and now see the fallbacks if I do. How could you get any work done????? :O)
I do this. I call them my inner storyboards. I have small corkboards filled with info, photos, and notes. I love, love, love them. Makes the characters and story more real to me.
LOVE them! I don't do these, but I have strong pictures of them in my mind.
This is a really great idea. I imagine a visual reminder of your characters will result in more detailed, descriptive writing. I'm going to try it!
Aw, what a problem for you and your husband to have! *wink wink* Great looking collages, though!
Great idea! If, I mean when, I get my writing room/library set up, maybe I'll dedicate a wall to character collages! :D
Ugh, I think if my hubby had that body, there'd be a lot more to distract me than just a magazine clip out. LOL.
Hi! First time here, I believe.
I've never done a character collage - it sounds interesting. I'll definitely have to check it out.
Shelley @ Ink Scrawls
http://inkscrawls.blogspot.com
LOL Um, yeah. A little distracting. :) This sounds like an interesting idea - I'm not a very visual person, so it might round out my characters a bit.
i haven't tried that....but for my current ms the collage would consist of two things: a skeleton and a stop-motion (clay-mation) figure.
nuff said.
This is a great idea. I'm not very visual, so this would certainly help. I'll have to try it. I wonder if making a collage or some kind of model of my settings would help that too.
I have a couple bulletin boards with character images on it as well as photos and postcards of settings. No topless guys tho. That would indeed be distracting. :-D
Intriguing concept. I've never done it, but I want to start making a writing board for inspiration. Maybe a little character collaging would help...
I used Google images and made power point presentations for each book. I feel like a nerd, but I love it! It works well. Plus that way the guy pics aren't as distracting, because they aren't hanging on my wall or on my desk. LOL
Well of course that's distracting! Especially that creatively placed "dream" tag!
oh man, that seems like an AWESOME idea! I mean, who doesn't want to make a fun collage?
I've never considered it. But yours look fantastic!
I've seen others post about this, but i haven't tried it myself. I think I'm too lazy! :)
This actually looks like something I can do while sitting next to my daughter. Heck, this might inspire her to be a writer!
I've tried finding a picture of each character, but I really LOVE the idea of a collage like this. I could pull in lots of aspects of their character, hobbies, etc. and get a real feel for them as a person instead of just what they look like. I'm definitely going to do this. Hopefully I'll have some done before November 1st so they'll be ready for my NaNo frenzy of writing. :-D Thanks for sharing this awesome idea!
I've not done this, but I love the idea. Do you have particular magazines you find work best for your cut-n-pasting?
Sounds like a cool idea. Must. Find. Magazines!
I can see while you'd be distracted! Maybe making plans for later? teehee.
I've made vision boards so know I will make a character collage when the time comes. Fun and helps focus, (well most of the time anyways!).
Great idea... especially considering I only buy magazines to cut them up for various collages and projects.
I know author Robin Jones Gunn does something similar to this before coming up with her plot. I've always been a little too afraid of coming up with the characters before the plot, but I may have to give in this time and steal this idea.
Thanks for sharing. =)
Tessa
I should try this, especially for the characters who aren't so clear in my head.
Thanks for sharing your lovely collages, and the idea!
I've never even heard of doing this. Very fun! Though I probably don't have enough magazines to do it.
I see what you mean about the distracting thing though. :)
This is so fun! And it's a way to access that non-verbal part of your creative brain that is sometimes so elusive. Love it!
OMG OMG OMG!!! I LOVE I LOVE I LOVE!!!!
Character Collages are amazing! I find that at times when I get stuck character collages pull me through!
Yours are amazing!
I haven't tried it but I think it's a great idea! I do search out pictures of people I feel resemble my character enough to be inspiring. That's part of the fun!
Um...your husband's body looks like this?
Oh my word.
You. Lucky. Thing.
(the collages are such a cool idea!)
Huh. I created collages for my characters when I first created them - to help me see them. Cool to see that others do it, also!
I haven't made a collage, but I do find pictures (usually of actors/actresses because I watch so many movies and usually someone comes to mind for a particular character). I put pictures of the person on a file on my computer, and yes, sometimes they do get distracting. :)
I haven't done this yet...but I'm thinking about it...seriously...I keep seeing it, so it must be a good technique.
i think i was going to write something here about collages but I've been distracted...
=)
I've never made a character collage but I like the idea of pasting picts that inspire. Wonderful idea!
No, I've never tried to make a character collage, although I usually have a mental image of their looks in my head. I'd probably get too distracted on finding the right pics than actually writing (especially men photos!) But it's a good idea to have some idea on what a character looks like.
That is a great idea Stina. I would need to keep the list to a word only since I would want to keep the images in my mind--and perhaps avoid any distractions as well.
I haven't done this, but I think it's time to delve more into my characters.
I think this is a great idea - and fun!
And I'm thinking you should post a picture of your husband - just for comparison's sake, of course.
No, I've never done a character collage, though I can see the appeal. Maybe someday. thanks for sharing yours!
Tara Lynn Childs did a video on character collages and ever since I have contemplated making one. It seems like a wonderful opportunity for seemingly useful procrastination. =D
I've thought about it but haven't yet. I'm beginning to see the advantage of making them and just might make a weekend project out of doing a few. Thanks for the nudge. (Hugs)Indigo
One word. YUM. :0
Post a Comment
Chocolate kisses to those who leave comments! (Unless you're a spammer. Then poisoned apples for you.) XOX