I like the Urban Fantasy angle most, because I have this thing for "mundane magic" and magic in contemporary settings. And the premise here reminds me of Kevin Hearne's "Iron Druid Chronicles," wherein a 2,000-year-old druid is moving about in the modern world plying his lost art and basically defending the Earth from magical threats. Good and fun reading, if you haven't discovered it.
Also, I think this is an example of you "noticing" the negative space of an image—the story that could be there, if the right light hits it. That's just as important as spotting the story in the things around you.
As I read your post, and having recently rewatched “Doctor Sleep,” I started clicking the concept of Noticing like Shining. Some folks can Notice rudimentary aspects of things around them, and others often go a little deeper. Then there are those few who can Notice not only deep concepts but the silver strings that tie them to other concepts, creating a vast network that can lead them down all sorts of adventures.
Hmmm..... 😋
Wonderful post. Makes me very glad I save images that appeal to me. A lot of images. You yourself are worthy of Notice!
Good post, Johnny. I often write short stories based on paintings and prints I buy and stock photos I get from the internet. When I need to write a short story for whatever reason, I go to images first.
This is the first Art of Noticing article that I've read and I love this idea. Getting inspiration for multiple stories and multiple types of stories from a single image … wait no I just realized this is a terrible idea. I don't want to add more ideas to my Idea Folder. I need to write the ones I have first. Must … avert … eyes
An Image is Worth a Thousand Tales
This also happens to me with music. I’ve been trying to write a noir crime novel that captures Townes Van Zandt’s tunes forever.
I like the Urban Fantasy angle most, because I have this thing for "mundane magic" and magic in contemporary settings. And the premise here reminds me of Kevin Hearne's "Iron Druid Chronicles," wherein a 2,000-year-old druid is moving about in the modern world plying his lost art and basically defending the Earth from magical threats. Good and fun reading, if you haven't discovered it.
Also, I think this is an example of you "noticing" the negative space of an image—the story that could be there, if the right light hits it. That's just as important as spotting the story in the things around you.
Brilliant idea, Johnny! Sometimes story lines and character backstories come to me while people watching, but I haven’t tried starting with a picture.
You had me at Urban Fantasy and Detective Noir.
As I read your post, and having recently rewatched “Doctor Sleep,” I started clicking the concept of Noticing like Shining. Some folks can Notice rudimentary aspects of things around them, and others often go a little deeper. Then there are those few who can Notice not only deep concepts but the silver strings that tie them to other concepts, creating a vast network that can lead them down all sorts of adventures.
Hmmm..... 😋
Wonderful post. Makes me very glad I save images that appeal to me. A lot of images. You yourself are worthy of Notice!
Good post, Johnny. I often write short stories based on paintings and prints I buy and stock photos I get from the internet. When I need to write a short story for whatever reason, I go to images first.
This is the first Art of Noticing article that I've read and I love this idea. Getting inspiration for multiple stories and multiple types of stories from a single image … wait no I just realized this is a terrible idea. I don't want to add more ideas to my Idea Folder. I need to write the ones I have first. Must … avert … eyes
Johnny, watch for my post tomorrow at hestanbrough.com. (grin)