Painting a Picture with Words

by | Feb 5, 2018 | Finding the Words | 6 comments

I stole glances at the sunset over my left shoulder as I drove north, from work toward home. Clouds swept the western horizon, spreading the orange glow of the sinking sun. Broad brushstrokes of color painted the sky.

Turning onto the rural lane I live on, I pulled over, the tableau now laid out before me. I had to stop. I climbed out of the car, zipping my jacket against the early evening chill, and gazed to the west.

“Wow,” I whispered.

I reached back into the car for my iPhone. Snapping photos, I missed precious moments of the shifting sunset’s fire. Then I remembered to simply witness – to let the beauty of those moments paint a picture in my memory.

The long, low profile of Mt. Taylor volcano, more than sixty miles distant, was silhouetted against the bands of dusky rose on the horizon. I shivered as the pinks deepened to purples then indigo, as much from the sight as the cold. After watching the lights of Bernalillo and Corrales flicker on below and the stars begin to twinkle above, I got into my car and drove the remaining minutes home, to the warm welcome of my partner and pups.

That night, and in the days that followed, the idea of painting a picture with words, rather than submitting to the impulse to grab for my phone, percolated.

It’s what I hope I’ve accomplished in my novel – that I’ve created a world with words – a landscape vibrant with sunrises and sunsets, along with cinder-block houses, a bustling office, rattling cars, and a sky-blue Cessna. Have my brushstrokes made that world vivid enough for you to want to explore it? Have I populated that world with characters you’ll see and hear and feel? Characters you’ll want to know, though they only “live” on the pages you’re turning?

That’s one of the challenges of writing – to create with mere words, black and white on the page, the picture of your brilliant or battered childhood red wagon, the spicy scent of your grandfather’s aftershave, the icy sweetness of a wintergreen Lifesaver, the burbling of a mountain creek in winter, or the silky softness of your puppy’s ears – to pique your senses, to evoke your emotions, to paint a picture with words.
.painting-with-words


I stepped away from posting here for a while, to finish what I hope will be the last major revision of my first novel, which I did just days ago.

Suggested Posts:

6 Comments

  1. Carolyn Kinsman

    Dearest Deb…a lovely painting! And I’m so very excited for you as you enter this phase of the work. I’m waiting. Breathlessly! Love to you, dear friend and forever exploring artist!

    Reply
  2. Garry Maurath

    Good post and congrats on finishing the novel. Can’t wait to read it.
    Hope all is going well and you are looking forward to Valentines day.

    Reply
  3. judi

    Simply witness…powerful words as I strive to live more minamally! You are a good friend and teacher…

    Reply
  4. cooper Gallegos

    Congratulations, Deb, on the final draft of your first novel. I am really looking forward to it. You paint such a lovely picture with your words. It fills me with wonder. Words have more impact on me than even sunset photos because I’m able to witness two worlds, the writer’s and my own. Double the power. This writing is beautiful. Thank you.

    Reply
  5. Sharon Galkin

    Your sunset looks and sounds quite similar to the ones I’m seeing here is Jerusalem this month. Same sun connecting us across about 9,000 miles. Awesome.

    Reply
  6. Jenn

    I’m so excited about your novel. I’m so looking forward to reading the result of your years of education and work on this as a service to your future readers. I’m already a fan!

    Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Geologists study the earth and the processes that shape it. Writers study the human heart and the processes that shape it. The GeologistWriter builds a bridge between the two. Come across it with me!

GROUND WORK: Wander the outdoors with me.

VENUS & MARS GO SAILING: Life. Intensified. On the Salish Sea.

FINDING THE WORDS: We all have stories – let's find the words to tell them.

SUBSCRIBE TO GEOLOGIST WRITER

* indicates required

Archives