Part of our Language Arts curriculum for this year includes keeping an artist's sketchbook--not for drawings, but for words. A place to record thoughts or ideas that grab our imaginations so we can have a place to go for inspiration when a writing assignment is given.
I naturally do this in my journal, jotting down words or phrases or ideas that tickle my fancy.
Things from books like Island of the Blue Dolphins. What would my secret name be? What would it be like to be all alone on an island? What would I do? How would I survive? How would I keep hope alive?
Things from places we've been, like Yellowstone or the Grand Tetons. What would it have been like to be one of the 50 carpenters who spent the winter at Yellowstone building the Old Faithful Inn? What would it have been like to live on Mormon Row in the Tetons, to have this barn be my barn? What would summers be like? Winters?
Or this barn?
Houses always inspire me. If this were my cabin, what would I want in it? How would I decorate it? Who would I invite for the weekend? Rag rugs and rocking chairs, for sure, not to mention lots and lots of puzzles!
Things from places we pass on the road. Who lives here in the middle of nowhere? What does she do all day? Is she lonely? What would my life be like if I lived here?
Treasures in antique stores--Whose was it? Who made it? What's the story behind it?
Old photographs--Who are they? What did they love? What did they fear? What were their dreams?
The bunnies in the yard--How would I write their stories? What are their adventures?
People from the stories of Scripture--What happened to the woman at the well five years later? What about the rest of Tamar's life?
What kinds of things spark your imagination?
*That's Anne (with an "e")--of Green Gables, of course. If you're not friends with her, you need to be. Talk about imagination!
Love "Anne of Green Gables"! I have it on my Kindle and re-read it often. I love her attitude and curiosity!
Posted by: Daisy | September 12, 2010 at 12:18 PM
I love Anne as well. :0)
I feel like I don't have a big imagination. I think it is something to be nurtured...so you've given me some ideas on how to nurture it. Thanks!
Posted by: dawn | September 12, 2010 at 06:48 PM
Breathtaking photos. It is really beautiful!
Posted by: rhonda | September 14, 2010 at 06:39 AM
Hi Joanne! I love this post because it's exactly how my brain works. I make up the most ridiculous stories in my head, sparked by a simple "I wonder..."
I always wonder where people in the airport are going. Vacation? Work? Happy reason? Sad? Or when someone is waiting in their car in a parking lot... why? Are they waiting for someone? Are they afraid to go in? Are they listening to a good song on the radio? People out walking - are they exercising? Do they know where they're walking or are they just meandering? Did she just need a break from her four kids who seem to constantly need her???????
Oops. Got carried away. But I do this all. the. time. I can't escape it or make myself stop. It just happens and sometimes I can't concentrate on other things. Do I need help? :)
I love the idea of keeping a journal for it all. What a great way to foster creativity!
Posted by: angie | September 18, 2010 at 05:13 PM