Photos That Have Inspired My Writing Lately
I often refer to these when I'm working on my characters.
When you write historical fiction, you can’t look outside your window and see the world in the past. You have to imagine what someone’s day to day life looked and felt like in, say, 1957 or 1962. When I was writing my third novel, I kept coming back to one photo of a young woman with her feet up in the cab of a VW bus.
My latest book takes place in 1965 and 1950 on Martha’s Vineyard, and I’ve been referring back to certain pictures to inspire my story. Take a look below.
This is definitely what I’m envisioning when I think about the kind of summer home that’s been passed down in my fictitious family. Isn’t it lovely? I’ve moved its location in my book though from one of Edgartown’s side streets to Water Street, which backs the harbor. I want my fictitious house to have a dock and a water view.
This is the graduating Class of 1952 from Edgartown High School. For some reason, the women’s faces in the middle row have my attention. I feel as though number 12 is in my book but I have no idea why. Something about her confidence and short hair, like she knows exactly where she’s headed.
My main character once had a longtime friendship with a boy from her childhood who still lives across the harbor. I love imagining that he lives in one of these houses.
They grew up sailing these waters together. There’s a mystery between them that I haven’t figured out yet.
But I’m also writing about siblings, and I think all of these vintage shots of siblings has been equally interesting to stare at. I’m fascinated with how our childhoods shape who we become and how siblings play a role in that development.
This young woman shot in the 1950s reminds me of the youngest in the family who I’m still getting to know on the page.
Anyway, I’ll stop there, but I have tons of these photos I keep around and refer to as I’m writing.
Do you keep any photos around for inspiration in your job, whether it’s in, say, writing, fashion or teaching? Just curious. Tell me! Also, if you enjoy reading these issues of Dear Fiction, please tell a friend about us! Thank you so much!!
It's really interesting to see how you're visualizing the novel as you write. I'd love to see more of this from you!
That house is dreamy! Love the vintage photos. I just have the random personal photo screensaver on my laptop & a lit of the photos are from travels over the years, which ai think helps me get into the right headspace for The Wandering Writer.