Writing and the Visual Image

While a lot of college writing courses have the tendency to be rather drab and repetitive, there is one class I took in college that changed my whole perspective. Taught by Susan Reese (a vivacious llama-owning dragon boat racer here in Portland, OR), the course implemented a range of writing, crafts, and visual imagery that echoed the carefree days of kindergarten.

Curiosity is often stifled at the collegiate level to some degree. I know this may sound counter intuitive - being that this is a place you go to learn - but really, there is such formulaic humdrum in academia like the logistics of paperwork and "proper" standards one must implement. So it's hard to find a class that really stand out on its own for being fun, educational, and inspiring.

But somehow, Susan did it. And here's how you can start your own visual journal:

Start with a large unlined notebook. A good place to look is an art shop, but most large stores carry these nowadays. Gather all of your photos, clippings, old letters, and memorabilia that you've been tucking away in an old shoebox and rummage through.

What first thought comes to mind? Maybe you see an old movie stub that reminds you of your first date, or a photo of you and your best friend backpacking through Europe. The point is to get your mind going to places normally restricted by the "duties" of your day job.

Start off with yourself. Write a resume of your life. Draw pictures of your first summer gig, and jot something down - a word, a phrase, a slogan - anything that jogs your memory of the place or experience you are writing about. One really neat assignment is to draw a map of your life experience. You can include places, people, and objects - maybe your favorite beach or a vacation that changed your life. Turn your history into a colorful collage.

Try to think about what has made an impact on you. Who were your favorite teachers? What songs always make you remember a "special" moment?

Take those ideas and begin a list. You can write a poem from here, or an essay on a particular moment. Incorporate photos, maps, drawings - you name it, to make a unique memory stand out in three dimensions.

Sometimes it helps to read passages from your favorite books, poems, or short stories. These little ruminations could turn into a thoughtful essay, which in turn could inspire you to create a masterful painting to accompany your written vision.

If you add a little bit here and there, you will have a book stuffed with images, excerpts, and snippets of you. And if you're really brave, you could try to publish your work or even give it away to a loved one. This is the kind of creativity money can't buy (not even college loans).