Inspiration Boards

by Ami Weaver

I'm in awe of people who do elaborate boards and/or collages for their novels. Witness Jenny Crusie:

This is from her website. I look at this and want to curl up and eat cookie dough. But that won't help my waistline or my book. (As an aside, has anyone ever attended her class on how to make these? Very cool.)

I'm more of a poster board and magazine kinda girl. Plus, I'm lazy. (There. I said it.)

That said, I've ventured into Pinterest. I really don't need another time suck in my life (I'm already super good at procrastinating) but I thought this might be a fun way to kind of try to collect things that inspire my WIP and I'll always have it on hand on my laptop.

*cue angels singing*

Holy! Cow! I love it! My boards are random and private and I don't do 'cookies' or 'awesome stuff for my house' type boards. Just stuff associated with the book I'm working on. My first one has tumbledown Victorians, awnings, worn carousel horses and fudge among other things. I started one yesterday, for a germ of an idea, with vintage blue Ford pickups. I just click and stick and volia! Inspiration!

This is a screenshot of one of my boards.

Another option, and this would no doubt work for me as it's very little actual work, would be an idea box. Just kind of toss in what goes with that book so you can take it out and sort through it as needed. I think Jenny said she goes to thrift shops and such to find things for her collages, and that would work here.

I don't know if I can print my Pinterest boards, or if I want to. Would they lose their magic on paper? Right now I like visiting them whenever the mood strikes, or when I need to get kick started on my writing--but I'm really careful not to lose my writing time.

How about you? Anyone make any kind of inspiration board? Please, share your ideas!