There are many ways to start writing a story – from your imagination, from your personal experience, from certain feelings you encounter in your daily life, etc. But on days when you are feeling especially lost, it’s always helpful to write using an illustration as a source of inspiration. Illustrations help you to think out of the box, stimulate your creativity and enhance your visual thinking.

Here’s an illustration to get you started on your writing journey.

6-8 Years: You can begin by describing the scene in the illustration. What do you see? Who are the characters? Where is the event taking place? What colours can you identify?

For example: Blaise was sitting on top of the white refrigerator. She was holding a flashlight when she saw a green light outside the window. The kitchen was filled with the green light.

9-12 Years: You can try to describe why the character ended up in the situation they are in with respect to the illustration. For example, why is Blaise on top of the refrigerator? How did she get there? Did she do something to cause the event taking place outside the kitchen window? 

MERRIN ABRAHAM

Merrin completed her Integrated MA in English Studies from IIT Madras. She is a storyteller, bibliomaniac and a lover of indie music who had a passion for the English language that she dedicated her childhood to reading Victorian literature. Besides drinking bitter coffee and analysing Asian media, she is trying to find a horror story worthy of the genre.

We are fortunate to showcase the work of Sophia Volovik, a talented freelance artist, in this blog post. To view the original image and explore more of her art, please visit https://www.artstation.com/artwork/OoWgkK .

For example: Blaise ran down the stairs clutching a flashlight when she heard a huge thump in her backyard. She couldn’t see anything from the living room window so she slowly crept to the kitchen. She was known for being good at scaling heights, so she quickly got on top of the refrigerator and peered outside.

13-15 Years: Observe and note the key details from the illustration and think about the mood and emotion the illustration evokes within you. Decide whether the illustration is your starting point, middle or end. With this information you’ll be able to begin developing the story. Think about possible conflicts, scenarios and adventures.

For example: It was a cold night, but there seemed to be no respite as vivid lights and phantom images continued to haunt Blaise’s bedroom. These nights were the scariest. If you were chosen you would never see Earth again. How could she leave behind her precious strawberry jam and magical compass to become a specimen for the Lataka’s? They come every fortnight, in their silver ships, blazing green, to pick up new specimens for their unknown project. She saw them one night from her kitchen window, taking her neighbour, Mr. Helft.

Happy writing!

P.S: Has your child been inspired by our monthly writing prompts? We welcome submissions inspired by our themes and would love to consider sharing your child’s work with the Common Room community. Please email any submissions to admin@commonroom.in.