Writing and
Photography
An author friend of mine recently suggested that my photography and writing feed each other, and I had been thinking the same thing. This hasn’t been a conscious effort, but recently I started working with new development techniques for photos, spending hours working on an image until it was what I wanted.
Then there was a call for submissions from an e-book publisher for stories about heists and capers. Well, I happened to have one I wrote six years ago. I pulled it out, read it, and really liked it, but it had major problems.
I spent three months re-doing the plot, but some of the original manuscript will stay. I’ll edit and rewrite because I’ve grown a lot in six years, but there was an energy that I want to keep. The similarity between revising an old manuscript and editing an image struck me. I sense or feel my way to what I want, and know it when I have it. The old manuscript is like a raw image.
Here are some before and after images.
Culvert Over Tahoe:
Mountain Wildflower:
Church with a man:
Do you find different arts and crafts overlapping for you? I’d love to hear your experience!
About Nicci:
Nicci Carrera writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense and is published by The Wild Rose Press. She lives in Northern California with her totally awesome husband who helps her figure out plot holes and who reads and critiques the first draft. They are currently without pets because they spend a lot of time traveling to see grown children and three little grandchildren (including adorable infant twins!) Nicci blogs twice a week, usually with photography. You can check out her photos on her blog or Facebook page.
Look for Nicci’s books:
Find Nicci:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/niccicarrera2
Blog: https://niccicarreraromance.com
Website: www.niccicarrera.com
Well said Ashantay! NIcci, your family and mine sound alike. My husband also edits my first draft, helps brainstorm the plot holes and is very supportive. We have feathered and furred kids, but camp a lot. He is a photographer and adds beauty to my blog posts. Good luck with your raw image manuscript, I’m sure it will look like your beautiful photos soon!
Thank you, Tena! That is so interesting! I told my hubby recently I want to camp with him. That is something we’ve never experienced together, so it is on our to do list now.
Beautiful photographs and any one of them could inspire a story. That is the art of being a writer.
Hi Sandra,
So many stories, so little time, eh? The great challenge of my life right now is choosing what to write.
Thanks so much,
Nicci
I agree with Ashantay’s comment! I also feel there’s a strong current between music and my writing. The creation of a song wells from the same place as the words that go into a book and music always helps my writing along. Thanks for an interesting post!
Wow, Laura, you write music too? I agree so much about music. It is a source of inspiration, stirs the soul directly.
I love your phrase: “I’ll edit and rewrite because I’ve grown a lot in six years, but there was an energy that I want to keep.” I have an old novel that I feel the same way about. Unfortunately, every time I go back to it, I feel like I’m betraying my intent and voice with rewrites. Great post!
Hi Judy Ann,
Thank you for your comment! I have an old mainstream novel that when I wrote it, I knew I had to make choices, big ones, but I haven’t for years known how to make those choices. I recently read a novel that inspired me and I think I now know how I want to make those choices. I’m ready to rewrite that novel. So, keep reading, writing, and letting it sit, then one day you’ll know when you are ready. Then read through it and just use a black highlighter in Word if you want, that way you don’t lose any content, but you can look at that essence and think about it, think about how to showcase that energy. You’re very experienced, it will be great!
Hugs,
Nicci
Love photography myself. You do it very well, those are clear crisp pictures.
That’s great Ilona. I love how it gets me outside looking at things too. Thanks!
The similarities of creative pursuits are amazing. Creatives always try to capture a moment and a mood while editing the work and maturing as artists. This ties into the post about perfectionism Maureen wrote.
That’s true, Charlotte. I’ll check out Maureen’s post. Thanks!
I think photography is a way to capture detail, a sense of time and place that translates well to writing. Both mediums, when done well, show the viewer/reader a new way of looking at life. Perhaps even healing an aching heart or bringing comprehension or compassion. Art is the highest form of being human.
Wow Ashantay, that is so true. You really said it. I agree art is the highest form if being human. Thanks so much.